Experiments on various Earths. 157 



SIR, 



I have stated to the Admiralty Board the several im-. 

 provements made by me in paint work ; and in consequence 

 thereof they have desired the principal officers of our yard 

 to report to them on their merits. The officers, who have 

 for more, than twelve months past daily had the execution 

 of them under their inspection, have recommended the same 

 in stronger terms, and the advantages thereof, to the lords 

 commissioners, beyond my statement. I have enclosed to 

 you a certificate relative to the ship Hibernia, which arrived 

 here the 12th of May last, and for which vessel I painted a 

 set of hammock cloths, containing thirteen hundred yards 

 of canvass, in June 1806, after my new method. 

 I am, sir, your obedient humble servant, 



Wm. Anderson. 



Portsmouth, Nov. 27, 1807. 



To C.Taylor, M.D. Sec. 



XXV. Experiments on various Earths, undertaken with the 

 View of ascertaining whether they are metallic Oxides. 

 By David Mushet, Esq. 



J. he late interesting experiments of Mr. Davy in metallizing 

 soda and potash, have brought to my recollection a tram of 

 experiments in which 1 was engaged eight years ago, with 

 a view to metallize some of the earths. Though considerably 

 disappointed in my first attempts, yet I have repeatedly re- 

 turned to the charge with increased hopes, but without ob- 

 taining any thing like a perfect result. 



In giving to the public a detail of my experiments, it is 

 impossible that I should mean to bring them forward with 

 any view to a comparison with the perfectly original and 

 satisfactory results of Mr. Davy. Our modes of operating 

 were so totally different,- that similar results could not be 

 expected. Should, however, any beneficial or useful pur- 

 pose arise from the knowledge of the new metals ; then, so 

 far as a simple mode of operation goes, my reasonings and 

 practice may be of service to others who may engage in a 

 similar undertaking. 



My 



