172 Account of the Black-lead Mine, 
weighing a few pounds, but the greater quan- 
tity in smaller pieces ; it requires no smelting 
or refining, the pieces are only cleared from 
any stony or extraneous matter which may 
adhere to them, and assorted according to the 
different fineness and sizes; and thus sent up 
in casks to the warehouse in London, which 
is open on the first Monday in every month, 
for the retailing out to customers. 
The great value of the wad, and the faci- 
lities afforded for disposing of it in an unma- 
nufactured state, being strong temptations to 
pilfering, it has sometimes been necessary to 
keep a strong guard upon the place; and an 
act was passed, 25th Geo. 2d. cap. 10, by 
which an unlawful entering of any mine or 
wad hole, of wad, or black cawke, com- 
monly called black-lead, or unlawfully taking 
or carrying away any wad, &c. from thence; 
as also the buying or receiving the same, 
knowing it to be unlawfully taken, is made 
felony. Inthe preamble to this act wad is stated 
to be “ necessary for divers useful purposes, 
and more particularly in the casting of bomb 
shells, round shot, and cannon balls.’”” How- 
ever, its use in cleaning and glossing cast iron 
work, such as stoves, grates, &c. isnow well 
known: and being capable of enduring a 
great heat, it is used in the manufactur’ of 
