MENDIP-HILLS, (Somerset) are the most famous in England, both for lead and coals. They stretch from Whatley near Frome-
Selwood in the E. to Axbridge in the W. and from Bedminster on the N. to Glastonbury on the S. Its coals are carried in
vast quantities, on the backs of horses, to Bath and Wells, Shepton-Mallet, Frome, &c. in this Co. and even to Warmister,
and other Ts. in Wiltshire The lead is observed to be not so soft, pliant, and easy to melt, as that of Derbyshire; nor so
proper for sheeting, because, when melted, it runs into knots; and, being of so hard a nature, is generally exported, and
employed in casting bullets and small-shot. These hills, in old records, are called Moinedrop. They have many knolls upon
them of a steep ascent; but the highest part of them is a flat of some length, on which there are swamps very dangerous to
travellers. But for a more particular account of this trail, the curious may consult Dr. Fuller, Dr. Beaumont, and that
poetic picture given of Chedder-Rocks, Wokey-Hole, and other wonders of this wild theatre, by the ingenious Dr. Sam.
Bowden, a physician of Frome, in his miscellany addressed to the Visc. Weymouth. One very remarkable law, or custom, among
the miners here, which they call Burning the Hill, is this: Such as live at some distance from the pits, usually leave
their tools, and the oar they have dug, open upon the hills, or at least shut up in a slight hut. And whoever is convicted
of stealing any thing, is thus punished; he is shut up in one of their huts, and dry fern, furzes, &c. being put round it,
and set on fire, the criminal, who has his hands and feet at liberty, is allowed to break down the hut, as soon as he can,
and run away from the flames; but he must nevermore come among them, or have any thing to do about the hills, though it is
free for any Englishman to work in these mines, till he has forfeited it by such theft. There was once a royal forest on
those hills, of which the Mortimers Es. of March had the custody. The r. Frome, which runs through Frome to Bradford,
rises in these hills. About the W. end of them, is found plenty of Lapis Calaminaris.