[Footnote 24: The Siberian iron is the best and most
plentiful in the world; and in the southern parts, above
sixty mines are now worked by the industry of the Russians,
(Strahlenberg, Hist. of Siberia, p. 342, 387. Voyage en
Siberie, par l'Abbe Chappe d'Auteroche, p. 603 - 608, edit
in 12mo. Amsterdam. 1770.) The Turks offered iron for sale;
yet the Roman ambassadors, with strange obstinacy, persisted
in believing that it was all a trick, and that their country
produced none, (Menander in Excerpt. Leg. p. 152.)]