on Tin Vesseh, and glazed Vottery. 3 1 9 



All these vessels were filled with boiling vinegaPj^ which 

 was left in them three days. The vinegar of the first eight 

 vessels being subjected to the examination of re-agents, did 

 not give the least signs of the existence of lead, but of some 

 particles of tin. The vinegar in the ninth vessel was much 

 saturated with lead. 



The same experiments, repeated at three other times, 

 with vinegar of greater or less strength, exhibited the same 

 phaenomena. In these cases it was observed that the first 

 eight vessels had assumed the colour of lead, and exhibited 

 the same phcenomena as those indicated in regard to tinning 

 in the preceding paragraph. 



The author, after supporting his observations by those of 

 Bayen and those of Vauquelin, deduces this consequence : 

 Tin alloyed with lead is harder than when it is pure, and 

 less susceptible of suffering its particles to be mixed with 

 aliments. What have we to fear from such vessels ? Small 

 particles which may be detached by the fork or the knife? 

 Such fears are groundless. Let us apply, then, to vessels 

 of tin, in regard to their use, what we have said of tinnino-, 

 that the fears entertained in regard to the employment of it 

 are not proved by any facts well authenticated ; and if the 

 art of the pewterer is susceptible of improvement, either in 

 regard to health or practice, it cannot be e.-.pected from 

 mixtures which have always been rejected bv sound che- 

 mistry. Besides, we know several other mixtures which 

 might be tried before we have recourse to a metal so solu- 

 •luble, and so difficult to be worked, as zinc. 



Let us now form a parallel of the alloys we have exa- 

 mined, with those used by the pcvvterers. 



Pure tin forms the first quality, which they employ for 

 the best utensils and those most esteemed. 



The second kind of mixture contains an eighth of lead, 

 and serves for making conmion vessels. 



The third kind contains G- 15 of lead, and is employed 

 for drinking-vessels. 



The first kind, which is the most common, contains 0*20 

 of lead, and is employed for making ink-stands and other 

 small articles. 



From what has been said it may be seen, that if pewterers 

 employ sometimes for common vessels the fourth kind of 

 mixture, the public can be exposed to no danger. The 

 iuticnts, who made so much use of tin ve^isels, have left 

 us no certain facts which prove that the use of them was 

 Contrary to health, and medicine never proscribed them. 

 [To be continued.] 



LVL A 



