266 INQUIRY INTO THE STRENGTH AND 
Before entering on the comparative estimates 
of the irons of British manufacture, I would 
offer a few remarks on the subject gene- 
rally, as also on those points which refer to the 
strength and other properties of the irons ex- 
perimented upon. In order to ascertain their 
values, we must have some measure of compari- 
son as respects their strength, fluidity, flexure, 
&c. Ihave already stated that we may safely 
compare one iron with another, and that com- 
parison will hald good when made between those 
of the same number and quality. We must, 
however, be careful in contrasting the No. 1, or 
first description of one iron, with the No. 3 of 
another. As regards strength the No. 1 almost 
invariably exhibits greater weakness, accom- 
panied with a greater degree of flexure than the 
No. 2 or No. 3. For example, the No. 1 
Milton, gives 352.5 for the breaking weight, 
and 1.525 for flexure ; whereas the No. 3 exhi- 
bits 427.4 for the breaking weight, and 1.368 for 
flexure. Again,the Beaufort Nos.2and 3 present 
nearly the same difference, being in the ratio 
of 478.8 to 505.0 as regards strength, and as 
1.512 to 1.599 in the measure of ultimate de- 
flection. On the whole, therefore, it will be 
found that the richer and more valuable des- 
