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XXXIV. Experhnents to ascertain whether there exists any 

 affinity hetuixt Carbon and Clay, Lime and Silex, se- 

 parately or as Compounds united ivith the Oxide of Iron 

 J'onning Iron Ores and Iron Stones. By David Mushet, 

 Esq. of the Calder Iron-lVorks*. 



-L HE subject of the present Inquiry, which has long en- 

 gained my attention, is of considerable importance in the 

 oeconomy of the manufacture of iron, and is a necessary 

 kev to the development of many facts connected with that 

 truly philosophical process. To the chemist and the philo- 

 sopher it will most probably be more acceptable than to the 

 manufacturer. A long continued train of success and ex- 

 perience frequently exalts the latter in his own opinion be- 

 yond the confines of elementary science. Conscious of his 

 attainments by practice both in the quality and quantity of 

 his results, he seldom acknowledges the existence of che- 

 mical and philosophical principles ; or, if he does, it is 

 merely to shade them with that ridicule which is often the 

 bane of useful inquiry. 



If we were certain that we had reached the ultimate pro- 

 gress of discovery in the properties and affinities of the most 

 useful metal hitherto discovered, then the injury done to 

 science and the arts, by avoiding all inquiries to explain 

 upon simple principles the agency employed in the manu- 

 i'acturing of iron, would be of less importance. But if the 

 matter is impartially investigated, there will be found suffi- 

 cient reason to apprehend that our knowledge and general 

 progress in the iron trade are more applicable to quantity 

 than quality. The successful exertions of individuals have 

 increased the manufacture of cast and malleable iron beyond 

 all precedent in this country ; nor have we been without 

 some enlightened individuals who have laudably endea- 

 voured to form a superior quality along with the extension 

 of their manufactures. Success has so far crowned their 

 praise-worthy exertions, aided by the operation of knowledge 

 in removing the prejudices of the artisan, that bar iron of 

 our own manufacturing has been substituted to a great ex- 

 tent, in place of that formerly used of the Swedish and 

 Russian marks. But hitherto all attempts have failed to 

 make bars of a proper quality to form steel in any degree 



'* Communicntcd by the Aurlior. 

 VoL.XVlII. Km. 71. N comparable 



Jpnl Ib04. 



