1822.]  Pirotechnia of Venoceio Biringucciv Stennese. 369 
pratica di Pittori et la ragioni d’essa.” (Or was this a diminish- 
ing mirror ?) His secret for the composition of metallic mirrors 
is, “ three parts tin, and one copper. Upon this alloy, when in 
fusion, throw (for every pound) one ounce of tartar, and half an 
ounce of arsenic.” 
The chapters on the art of pottery, and making lime, appear 
to contain nothing remarkable. The same may, perhaps, be 
said of the chapters relating to artillery and fireworks ; but with 
these subjects, I have no acquaintance. 
The concluding chapter is perfectly characteristic of the Ita- 
lian. “ Del Fuocho che consuma et non fa cenere, et e potente 
pui che altro fuoco, del quale ne e Fabro el gran Figliol di 
Venere.” 
‘¢ Chealtro dir non virole che cupido.” 
Upon the whole, although this scarce volume from its meagre- 
ness and imperfections forms a singular contrast to the bulk and 
fullness of detail which might be expected in a metallurgical 
encyclopedia of the present day, it is unquestionably for its age 
a work of no common merit and interest; and the author is 
fairly entitled, from his practical intelligence and industry, to be 
ranked among those who contributed to realize the almost pro- 
phetic verse of his immortal countryman : 
<¢ Esperienza 
Ch’ Esser suol fonte a i rivi di nostri arti.” (Dante Paradiso.) 
I subjoin the account of the manufactory of Niello from the 
original: “ Niellasi ancora per ornamento de Javori certi intagli 
o profili et questo prima si compone pigliando una parte di 
argento fino, due di rame, et tre di piombo fino, et in un vaso di 
terra che habbi el collo stretto et longo sempee la meta di solfo 
macinato, et sopravi si gitta fusi gli detti metalli, et con terra 
subito messi si chuida la boccha del vaso, et benissimo si 
rimena. Dipdoi freddo rompendo il vaso se ne cava et netta, et 
lavasi et alfin si macina, ct adoperasi riempiendo li vacul de 
lavori che s’vuole, et a un fornelletto fatto di carboni grossi con 
alquanto di fiamme di legna et con uno mantachetto soffiandovi 
dentro savoiva et si fa sopra al lavoro vostro scorrere collocan- 
dolo alquanto con uno legnetto o ferro quando e scorso, et si 
cava et lassa freddare. Dipoi cosi fatto con una lima levando el 
superfluo si senopre, et con una poca di camra et pomice sottile 
si pulisce, et con la terra di tripoli fregandolo si fa lucido et 
bello.” —(P. 135.) 
The Pirotechnia* was a second time printed at Venice, A. D. 
1550, with the original wood-cuts, and some alterations in the 
orthography. A French translation appears to have been printed 
at Paris, A. D. 1572. The author is spoken of with commenda- 
tion both by Agricola (in his preface), and Cardan (De Subtil). 
The former terms him an eloquent writer, which is true to a cer- 
e * See also Brunet’s Dict, Bibliographique, article Biringuccio, 
New Series, vou..1v. 2B 
