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fourth volume of the Memoirs of the Aca- 

 demy of Bologna, which 1 fhall here briefly 

 Hate, as it is particularly applicable to the 

 prefent fubjedl. A bell of a very large fize 

 was to be caft at Modena under a fpacious 

 portico. The metal was melted, and was 

 let flow, through a fmall channel, into the 

 earthen mould, which was at a little diflance 

 under the pavement. But at the moment 

 the melted metal reached the mould, fuch a 

 violent explofion took place, that the metal, 

 the mould, and a great quantity of earth, 

 were thrown up with inconceivable vio- 

 lence. The furnace was blov/n in pieces ; 

 the portico, walls, and beams of the roof 

 torn up and broken in many places ; a large 

 opening made in the roof, the tiles fcattered 

 about, and a wide and deep hole funk in 

 the ground. Some of the byfl:anders were 

 killed, others feverely wounded and hurt, 

 and all overwhelmed v/ith dread and con- 

 fternation. Such dreadful eff*e(fts were pro- 

 duced by a little moifture being left in the 

 earthen mould, through the inattention of 

 the w^orkmen. We may hence conclude 

 A a 3 what 



