Yet the seal was not an unwelcome visitor: his fur was valuable,; and his oil supplied light through the long nights of winter.
An attempt was made with great success to set up iron works.

It was not yet the practice to employ coal for the purpose of smelting; and the manufacturers of Kent and Sussex had much difficulty in procuring timber at a reasonable price.

The neighbourhood of Kenmare was then richly wooded; and Petty found it a gainful speculation to send ore thither.
The lovers of the picturesque still regret the woods of oak and arbutus which were cut down to feed his furnaces.

Another scheme had occurred to his active and intelligent mind.

Some of the neighbouring islands abounded with variegated marble, red and white, purple and green.