ant functions of a representative government. - With this view the au- 
thor of this report undertook the gratuitous labor of making it, im hopes 
that the state of Maryland, already signalized by having caused an early 
geological, and the first trigonometrical survey of a state territory, 
might also by her example, induce her sister states to enter upon this 
career—only another branch of the same general. enquiry—by care- 
fully collecting statistical facts in relation to different domestic resources 
and manufactures, exhibiting their actual condition and Siete for 
further periodical statements as to their progress. 
So far.as this Journal has influence, we should be habe to hopes 
a portion of its pages in disseminating impressions and arguments. hav- 
ing the object indicated above, and we have to regret that our engage- 
ments have prevented an earlier notice of the labors of Mr. Alexander 
onthe subject of iron: It is magnanimous in this gentleman to perform 
this great and responsible duty gratuitously—proe bono publico—and it 
is happy that in this respect, science as well as liberty can occasionally 
boast a Se + but we feel bound to protest agen such a course 
as a ge : ntr'y tl bie: to speyetowalt the 
Tomb « Cie 2 or 
ee St Dns ae pos We Suite totes i Rina 
eee ge ee te na nee ee ae = Se ee ee — he Ff 
Pus =2 Pape & oe ey | as ae a ak fo ss Te ae Se ee Se 
The report now ‘before: peri Re A “prepared wile ggheat 
care and labor. It exhibits abundant proof of a careful investigation 
: both at home and in foreign countries, in.eill. the. toe dantpophiint pine 
tical operations, from the mining of the orcs of iron to the conversion 
of this most important metal into the numerous forms in which it is 
demanded by the necessities of civilization. It is, in an important de- 
gree, a monograph of its subject, which, if carried into full detail in 
all its bearings, would demand volumes for its elucidation. Mr. Alex- 
ander’s report is-a full half of a full octavo, and he still finds his limits 
too narrow for all that he aah: AP AE TA Without wishing to 
hie active | Go ae Leen See Cn ee SRO Te } | 
we would venture to suggest the a PARR a separate 
pamphlet, -a condensed » abstract of. the sqpabampaeiants practical facts, 
for the use of , omitting many histori- 
eal details ‘Gis.0 some of those scientific views which are most interest- 
ing to those. -who cultivate science for its own sake. 
_ Did our limits permit, we would gladly recapitulate. iaany interest- 
ing and important facts which are brought out. in the present report. 
« them are the results of the microscopic examination of the dif- 
ferent varieties of cast ‘iron, and also o of bar iron. tt appears that their. 
h the 
lee bt By q e 
Wad. bar, No: a -Selg-eip. 1841. 48 
