Read Ebook: The Underground World: A mirror of life below the surface by Knox Thomas Wallace

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BELOW THE SURFACE.

DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.--WHAT THE WORLD BELIEVES.--MUNGO PARK IN AFRICA.--WHY THE NATIVES PITIED HIM.--EXTENT OF UNDERGROUND LIFE.--DISTRIBUTION OF THE EARTH'S WEALTH.--VALUE OF MINES.--THEIR EXTENT AND IMPORTANCE.--COAL AND IRON.--MYSTERIES OF MINES.--EXPERIENCE WITH A NOVICE.--CHANGES OF SEASONS TO A MINER.--DANGERS IN MINES.--LIFE IN CAVERNS.--UNDERGROUND IN METAPHOR.--SOCIAL MINING.--OBJECT OF THIS VOLUME. Page 27

DISCOVERY OF COAL.

BORINGS AND SHAFTS.

HOW COAL MINES ARE DISCOVERED.--OUTCROPPINGS.--SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES.--HOW A MARBLE QUARRY WAS FOUND.--BORING A WELL, AND WHAT CAME OF IT.--A LOCAL DEBATING SOCIETY.--INTIMATE RELATIONS OF COAL MINES AND THE STEAM ENGINE.--STRIKING OIL.--"DAD'S STRUCK ILE."--THE UNHAPPY MAIDEN'S FATE.--COAL INSTEAD OF WATER.--THE TOOLS TO BE USED.--A DEEP HOLE.--TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, AND A MINER'S COOLNESS.--SINKING SHAFTS.--AN INGENIOUS APPARATUS.--ACCIDENTS IN SHAFTS.--REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW. 53

ACCIDENTS IN SHAFTS.

SILVER MINES AND MINING.

SILVER MINING IN NEVADA.

HOW GOLD WAS DISCOVERED IN NEVADA.--A PECULIAR "BLACK SAND," AND WHAT CAME OF IT.--SILVER CURSED AND THROWN AWAY.--ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY OF THE VALUE OF THE ORE.--H. T. P. COMSTOCK.--THE COMSTOCK LODE.--HOW MINING RECORDS WERE KEPT.--YIELD OF THE NEVADA MINES.--BONANZA AND BORRASCA.--THE BIG BONANZA.--THE GRAVE OF THE FORESTS.--"WASHOE ZEPHYRS."--PAY ROLLS OF THE MINING COMPANIES.--INTERESTING DETAILS. 97

SPECULATIONS IN NEVADA MINES.

MINES AND MINING ENTERPRISES OF NORTH AFRICA.

MINING AMONG THE MOORS, BERBERS, AND ARABS.--THE FRENCH CONQUEST.--GEOLOGICAL SURVEYS.--MINERAL WEALTH OF ALGERIA.--A WONDERFUL IRON MINE.--MOKTER-EL HADID.--HOW THE MINE IS WORKED.--VISIT TO A MOUNTAIN OF SALT.--A REMARKABLE FORMATION.--ARTESIAN WELLS IN THE DESERT.--SCENE AT THE OPENING OF ONE.--EFFECTS ON THE PALM-TREE.--A PROPOSED INLAND SEA.--THE SUEZ CANAL AND ITS HISTORY.--HOW IT WAS MADE.--ADVANTAGES TO THE WORLD'S COMMERCE. 118

ADVENTURES OF DIVERS.

RUSSIAN MINES AND MINING.

EXTENT OF THE EMPIRE.--ITS MINERAL RESOURCES.--PETER THE GREAT, AND WHAT HE DID.--NIKITE DEMIDOFF.--THE DEMIDOFF ESTATES.--IRON MINES AND A VISIT TO THEM.--WHERE RUSSIA SHEET-IRON IS MADE.--COPPER AND MALACHITE.--A WONDERFUL SIGHT.--STRANGE STORY OF AN EMERALD NECKLACE.--GOLD MINING IN SIBERIA.--HARDSHIPS OF THE MINER.--HOW THEY ARE TREATED.--MODE OF MINING. 145

VESUVIUS AND ITS ERUPTIONS.

THE GREAT ERUPTION OF VESUVIUS.--WHAT IT DID.--THREE CITIES WIPED OUT.--LAVA AND ITS CHARACTER.--GOING TO THE MOUNTAIN.--SKIRMISHING WITH GUIDES AND BEGGARS.--ARCHITECTURAL STEEDS.--A HORSE WITH A HAND RAIL AROUND HIM.--COAT-HOOKS TO LET.--A MOTLEY CROWD.--HOW AN AMERICAN WAS MOUNTED.--A NEW MODE OF SPURRING.--THE ROAD FROM RESINA.--BURNING LAVA.--CROSSING THE LAVA BEDS.--CLIMBING ON FOOT.--HAPS AND MISHAPS.--AN ENGLISHMAN'S ACCIDENT.--LIGHTING A CIGAR AT THE CRATER.--SUFFOCATED BY SULPHUR FUMES.--DOWN AMONG THE ASHES.--A LONG FALL AND SLIDE.--IN HERCULANEUM.--UNDERGROUND BENEATH THE CITY.--"LOOK HERE."--HOW THE CITY WAS DISCOVERED.--THE ERUPTION OF 1872.--HORRIBLE SCENES.--EXTENT OF THE DESTRUCTION. 178

THE CAVERNS OF NAPLES.

THE EXCAVATIONS OF DR. SCHLIEMANN, AT MYCENAE .

HIS EARLY LIFE AND IDEAL.--THE TREASURES OF PRIAMUS.--DESCRIPTION OF THE SPOT.--EARLY HISTORY OF MYCENAE.--PAUSANIAS, THE ANCIENT ARCHAEOLOGIST.--WHERE THE EXCAVATIONS WERE COMMENCED.--THE TOMB OF AGAMEMNON AND HIS FAITHFUL WARRIORS.--DESCRIPTION OF THE TREASURES FOUND.--PROOFS OF THE IMMENSE ANTIQUITY OF THE TOMBS.--RECENT PORTRAITS TAKEN OF HEROES OF ANCIENT GREECE.--HOW IT WAS DONE.--THE VALUE OF THE DISCOVERIES REGARDING ART MATTERS.--HERACLES STRUGGLING WITH THE LION.--DR. SCHLIEMANN'S HEROIC WIFE.--DISCOVERY OF THE TEMPLE OF AESCULAPIUS.--A BYZANTINE CAVE UNDER THE ROCK.--A DISCOVERY WHICH FILLS ATHENS WITH JOY.--THE STATUE OF VICTORY FOUND IN ALMOST PERFECT CONDITION. 221

CORAL REEFS AND CAVES IN THE PACIFIC.

THE ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC.--HOW THEY HAVE BEEN FORMED.--WHAT THE CORAL IS.--THE WONDROUS ARCHITECTS OF THE SEA.--WHAT A UNITED STATES STEAMER SAW.--HOW THE CORAL IS FISHED FOR.--ROMANTIC STORY OF A CAVERN.--HOW IT WAS DISCOVERED.--AN ELOPEMENT AND EXERCISE IN DIVING.--LOVE AND TURTLES.--A BATTLE IN THE WATER.--KILLED BY SHARKS.--A MAIDEN'S GRIEF.--THE PERIL OF A LOVER.--SURPRISING A FATHER-IN-LAW.--END OF A SUBMARINE COURTSHIP. 248

BURGLARS AND BURGLARIES.

REMARKABLE BURGLARIES.--UNDER GROUND FOR DISHONEST PURPOSES.--WONDERFUL ADROITNESS OF BURGLARS.--A REMARKABLE ROBBERY.--OCCUPATION OF A LAWYER'S OFFICE.--LABOR UNDER DIFFICULTIES.--A TROUBLESOME POLICEMAN.--STRANGE SCENE IN COURT.--THE CULPRIT'S REPLY.--ROBBERY BY COUNTERFEIT POLICEMEN.--THE OCEAN BANK ROBBERY.--RAPID AND THOROUGH WORK.--AN ASTONISHED WATCHMAN.--BAFFLING THE POLICE. 264

THE EARLIEST EXCAVATIONS.

GRAVES AND THEIR CONSTRUCTION.--DIFFERENT MODES OF BURIAL.--TOMBS.--THE MOST EXTENSIVE TOMBS.--OBJECT OF THE PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT.--A VISIT TO THE GREAT PYRAMID, AND ITS DESCRIPTION.--DIFFICULTIES OF CLIMBING.--THE TOMBS OF THEBES.--A FAT AMERICAN'S ADVENTURE.--ENTERING THE TOMB OF ASSASSEEF.--RECITING POETRY UNDER DISADVANTAGES.--SWALLOWING A BAT.--JACK'S DISGUST.--FATE OF A FAT MAN.--STUCK IN A PASSAGE-WAY.--HOW THE ARABS REMOVED HIM. 277

EXPERIENCES IN WILD LIFE.

THE GREEN VAULTS OF DRESDEN.

THE RICHEST TREASURY IN THE WORLD.--HOW THE SAXON PRINCES ACQUIRED IT.--THE DIFFERENT CABINETS, AND WHAT THEY CONTAIN.--WONDERFUL CARVINGS, MOSAICS, AND CURIOSITIES.--SPLENDID GOLD AND SILVER PLATE.--MAGNIFICENT ROYAL REGALIA.--A LUXURIOUS AND GALLANT MONARCH.--ROMANTIC ADVENTURES.--A MARVELLOUS TOY.--DAZZLING EMERALDS, PEARLS, RUBIES, AND DIAMONDS.--THE LARGEST AND MOST PRECIOUS GEMS ON THE GLOBE.--INGENIOUS AND DESPERATE ATTEMPTS TO ROB THE VAULTS.--A THIEF WALLED UP ALIVE.--EFFECT OF EXPOSING HIS SKELETON.--ARE THE PRICELESS JEWELS FALSE?--WHAT AN ENTERPRISING SCOUNDREL MIGHT ACCOMPLISH. 302

THE CATACOMBS OF PARIS.

PETROLEUM.

OIL SPRINGS.--THE FIRE FIELD OF THE CASPIAN.--THE FIRE WORSHIPPERS.--THE RANGOON DISTRICT.--FIRE WELLS OF THE EAST.--PETROLEUM IN AMERICA.--ITS DISCOVERY AND HISTORY.--OIL FEVER.--ANECDOTES OF SPECULATION.--FORTUNES WON AND LOST.--EXTRAVAGANCES OF THE NOUVEAU RICHE.--THE STORY OF JOHN.--HOW TO GET UP A PARTY. 331

WINE AND BEER CELLARS.

WINE CELLARS.--HOW THEY ARE MADE.--PLACES FOR STORING BEER.--THEIR EXTENT.--THE GREATEST WINE CASK IN THE WORLD.--ITS CAPACITY.--PECULIARITIES OF WINE AND BEER VAULTS.--VISITING A CELLAR IN POLAND.--CURIOUS SIGHTS.--THE ANTIQUITY OF THE BOTTLES.--WHAT A VISITOR DID.--THE RESULT OF TOO MUCH WINE.--A DANGEROUS BRIDGE. 346

THE BASTILLE.

ITS HISTORY AND CONSTRUCTION.--THREE AMERICANS SEARCHING FOR IT.--A FRENCH JOKE AT THEIR EXPENSE.--HOW PRISONERS WERE RECEIVED AND TREATED.--HORRIBLE DUNGEONS.--THE OUBLIETTES.--CRUELTIES OF THE BASTILLE.--THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK.--HIS ROMANTIC STORY.--DESTRUCTION OF THE BASTILLE. 356

DIAMONDS AND DIAMOND MINES.

HOW DIAMONDS ARE OBTAINED.--THE COUNTRIES THAT PRODUCE THEM.--MODES OF SEEKING THEM IN BRAZIL.--CURIOUS PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THEFT.--HOW A SLAVE IN BORNEO ROBBED HIS EMPLOYER.--FAMOUS DIAMONDS AND THEIR HISTORY.--THE REGENT, THE ORLOFF, AND THE KOHINOOR.--FIDELITY OF A SERVANT.--THE STAR OF THE SOUTH.--A SHARP TRICK OF AN AMATEUR GAMBLER. 372

THE DIAMOND FIELDS OF SOUTH AFRICA.

MODE OF REACHING THEM.--THEIR EXTENT AND RICHNESS.--THE YIELD OF THE MINES.--CHARACTER OF THE AFRICAN DIAMONDS.--MODE OF WORKING.--THE NEGROES AND THEIR PECULIARITIES.--DU TOIT'S PAN.--KIMBERLEY.--COLESBERG KOPJE.--LIFE IN THE FIELDS.--DUST STORMS AND HEAVY RAINS.--A WHIRLWIND AND ITS EFFECTS.--CAUGHT IN A STORM.--INDIVIDUAL INSTANCES OF GOOD LUCK.--A DIAMOND ON A BURST. 391

THE UNDER-WORLD OF PARIS.

THE EAST RIVER BRIDGE.

INUNDATION AT LALLE.

PERILS OF THE MINER.

THE MAMMOTH CAVE.

ROMANCE AND MYSTERY OF CAVES.--THE FAMOUS CAVES OF THE WORLD.--THE GREATEST CAVERN ON THE GLOBE.--ITS IMMENSE FAME.--AMERICANS' NEGLECT OF IT.--CAUSE OF THEIR INDIFFERENCE.--SITUATION OF THE MAMMOTH CAVE.--ITS MISERABLE MANAGEMENT.--ANNOYANCES AND IMPOSITIONS PRACTISED UPON TOURISTS.--JOURNEY THROUGH THE VAST TUNNEL.--WHAT ONE SEES, FEELS, AND DOES.--CONSUMPTIVE GHOSTS.--WONDERS OF THE STAR-CHAMBER.--DESCENT INTO THE BOTTOMLESS PIT.--CROSSING THE STYX AND THE LETHE.--MARVELLOUS ECHOES.--STARTLING ACCIDENTS.--WOMEN IN AWKWARD SITUATIONS. 456

INSURANCE AND ITS MYSTERIES.

HISTORY OF FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE.--LIFE INSURANCE.--OBJECTIONS OF A CALIFORNIAN.--HOW HE ANSWERED AN AGENT.--FRAUDS UPON COMPANIES.--A DEEP-LAID SCHEME.--JOHNSON AND HIS THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.--OPENING A GRAVE.--A FICTITIOUS CORPSE.--PURSUIT BY DETECTIVES AND CAPTURE OF THE SWINDLER.--LITIGATIONS ABOUT INSURANCE.--CHINESE TRICKS ON AGENTS.--SUBSTITUTES FOR EXECUTION. 479

RAILWAY TUNNELS.

THE MONT CENIS TUNNEL.

MOUNTAIN CHAINS BETWEEN NATIONS.--MONT CENIS.--CROSSING THE ALPS.--THE GREAT ALPINE TUNNEL.--LAYING OUT THE WORK.--THE ARC AND DORA.--DIFFICULTIES.--THE SURVEYS.--PENETRATING THE MOUNTAIN.--COMPLETION OF THE WORK.--THE CHANNEL TUNNEL.--ITS COST.--COST OF TUNNELS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES. 510

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