ON METALS. t8 



Glided amain, and every hollow filPd. 



These when, condens'd, long after men survey'd 



Glistening in earth, attracted by the glare, 



The splendid mass they dug; and inark'd, surpriz'd, 



F.arh form'd alike, and, to the channell'd bed 



\Vhere late it lay, adapted most precise. 



Then instant deem'd they, liquified by flame, 



The power was theirs each various shape t' assume, 



Drawn dextrous out, of point or edge acute ; 



The power unrivall'd theirs each tool to frame 



Art needs to fell the forest, and its trees 



Mould into planks or beams ; to cleave, or smoofh, 



Pierce, hollow, scoop, whate'er the plan conceiv'd. 



Nor strove they less such instruments t' obtain 

 From gold, or silver, than stern copper's strength. 

 Yet vainly : for their softer texture fail'd, 

 Powerless to bear the sturdy toil requir'd. 

 Whence copper chief they courted, while all gold 

 Neglected lay, too blunt, and dull for use. 

 Now triumphs gold, while copper sinks despised. 

 So rolling years the seasons change of things : 

 What once was valn'd loses all its worth, 

 And what was worthless rises in its stead, 

 Swells into notice daily, every hour 

 Blooms with new praise, and captive leads the world. 



[Editor. 



CHAP. III. 



OP GUN-METAL; BRONZE, OR STATUARY-METAL; BELL 

 METAL; POT-METAL; AND SPECULUM-METAL, OR ME- 

 TALLIC MIRRORS. 



JtScsiDES brass there are many other metallic mixtures, into which 

 copper enters as the principal ingredient ; the most remarkable of 

 these are gun-metal, bell-metal, pot-metal, and speculum. metal. 



It has been remarked of Queen Elizabeth, that she left more 

 brass ordnance at her death, than she found of iron on her acces- 



