“Up to the present time,” (June, 1862,) says Lord Mulgrave, “there has been no great influx of persons from abroad; and the gradual development of the richness of the gold-fields is chiefly due to the inhabitants of the country.  Some few have arrived from the United States, and from the neighboring Provinces; but they are chiefly persons destitute of capital, and without any practical knowledge of mining-operations.  This, I fear, is likely to produce some discouragement, as many of them will undoubtedly prove unsuccessful; and, returning to their homes, will spread unfavorable reports of the gold-fields, while their failure should more properly be ascribed to their own want of capital and skill.”

In contrast with this sensible prediction, and to show the very different results of associated capital and labor noticed in the outset of our remarks, we give the following on the authority of the “Commercial Bulletin” of February 13, 1864:—­

“At a meeting of the Directors of the St. Croix Mining Company, held on the 14th ult., a dividend of sixty per cent., payable in gold, was declared, and, in addition to this, a sum sufficient to work the claim during the winter was reserved for that purpose.”

The latest information from this highly interesting region is contained in the Annual Report of the Chief Gold-Commissioner for the year 1863, issued at Halifax on the 26th of January, 1864.  The present incumbent of this responsible office is Mr. P.S.  Hamilton, of Halifax,—­the former Commissioner, Mr. Creelman, having gone out of service in consequence of the change of Ministry which occurred in the early part of last year.  Mr. Hamilton’s Report is singularly clear and concise, and exhibits throughout a highly flattering prospect in all the Districts now being worked, except that of Ovens,—­the reasons for this exception being, however, fully explained by the Commissioner.  “Taking the average yield at what it appears by these [official] tables,” says Mr. Hamilton, “these mines show, a higher average productiveness than those of almost any other gold-producing country, if, indeed, they are not, in this respect, the very first now being worked in the world.  I may here mention one fact affording increased hopes for the future, which although unquestionably a fact, the exact measure of its importance cannot well be shown, as yet, by any statistical returns.  Excavations have not yet, it is true, been carried to any great depth.  Few mining-shafts upon any of the gold-fields exceed one hundred feet in depth; but, as a general rule,—­indeed, in nearly every instance,—­the quartz seams actually worked have been found to increase in richness as they descend.”  “The yield of gold to each man engaged during the year is very much higher than has yet been attained in quartz-mining in any other country.”