CHAP. xxvi. MANUFACTURERS. 273 



descriptions of workshops in which the divisions 

 and subdivisions of the trade in gold and silver are 

 carried on. These sweepings, as they are termed, 

 are first by stamping crushed into a minute dust. 

 The mass is then amalgamated with mercury, which 

 takes up the precious metals. This composition after- 

 wards undergoes a kind of distillation, in the course 

 of which the mercury is evaporated by heat, is then 

 condensed and preserved, and the precious metal 

 parted for future application to the purposes for 

 which it is needed. 



In pursuing our inquiry, the first step appeared 

 to be to ascertain the quantity of gold which is 

 annually produced by the whole of the refiners and 

 sweep- washers. Whatever that quantity might be 

 found to be, as the whole is applied to manufac- 

 turing purposes, it would be a guide to the know- 

 ledge of the remainder. There are certain branches 

 of trade in which refined or pure gold alone is used. 

 The gold-beaters, the water-gilders, the gold lace 

 makers, the china-gilders, the gilders of buttons, 

 and of toys, and trinkets, use only fine gold, or 

 gold with such minute particles of alloy in it as 

 are necessary to make it adhesive. 



The jewellers, too, who are the great consumers 

 of gold, use partly refined gold, or at least a con- 

 siderable number of the trade do so. The case, 

 however, of that business will ba presently con- 

 sidered more at large. 



VOL. IT. T 



