Qn the. Principles of Iron and Steel. 155 
The water produced weighed 1 oz. 11 dwt. 7 gr.; and, 
contrary to all expectation, had no fenfible acidity. 
IX. On the Principles of Iron and Steel. By Mr. Davip 
Musuet, of the Clyde Iron Warks. Communicated bp 
the Author. 
Tue general diffufion of coal and ironftone, in rich and 
extenfive traCts throughout the ifland of Great Britain, while 
it has ftamped an additional value on land, has rendered the 
manufacture of iron of fuch national importance,and advan- 
tage, as to weigh confiderably in the feale of our commer- 
cial interefts. Of late years it has gained in a great meafure 
that juft preponderance to which its magnitude and general 
utility have fully entitled it. At prefent, however, it mutt 
not be concluded, that the bufinefs has attained thofe 
bounds which fet limits to its improvement; or that.it has 
attained its utmoft confequence as a fource of national and 
individual wealth. Its future progrefs will greatly depend 
upon the liberal exertions of individuals, and the felf-denia] 
of the legiflature, by abftaining from cramping in its en- 
lightened march the genius of this native manufa¢ture. 
Imprefled with thefe truths, the following details will be 
- found more allied to the practice of the manufacture of 
jron than attached to any fyftematic arrangement of fcience; 
where oftentimes the practical ftudent is obliged to f{mile, 
bewildered at the lengthened affemblage of phrafes expref+ 
five of a fimple fubftance or meaning. 
It is much to be lamented that the {cientific arrangement 
of the mineralogift was not more confonant to the ideas of 
the manufacturer ; and that the labours of the former were 
not more direéted to affimilate to the juft refults of practice 
his pre-conceived theories. 
With heartfelt pleafure we fhould then perufe the hiftory 
and analyfis of the many ftrata of argillaceous ores of iron 
with 
