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On Becquertl's new method of Analysis of Ores. Communicated by Dr. E. T. Downes, 



Deputy Assay Master. 



I have great pleasure in forwarding for publication in your next number, (if it comes within 

 the description of articles likely to suit your pages,) a very interesting and highly valuable 

 paper having reference to a new process for the assay of ores; introduced to the world by 

 such high authority as Becquerel, will I am sure add very much to its value and importance. 

 The advantages to be derived from this new mode of analysis are many ; one in particular 

 which will strike every one's attention at all conversant with the subject, is the cheapness in 

 conducting the process ; a second, the detection and recovery of very small quantities of the 

 precious metals in ores, which previous to the discovery of this electro-chemical power as 

 applied in the analysis of these compounds were thrown aside as being of too poor a descrip- 

 tion to be worked at a remunerating price ; this difficulty has been overcome by the labours 

 and talent of Becquerel, and the advantages likely to accrue to science can scarcely be esti- 

 mated at so early a period of its introduction, as it is yet in its infancy. 



I have been detained sending it to you at an earlier period, with the hope of being in posses- 

 sion of more facts regarding the plan being more matured ; my Paris correspondent having 

 promised to forward me all the information regarding the progress of the discovery as it 

 was made public by its very able and indefatigable originator ; but I shall wait no longer, 

 and whatever details may reach me at a subsequent period, I will send you as a continuation 

 of the present notice.* 



Calcutta, 7th Dec. 1841. 



Important Discovery in Metallurgy. 



At a recent sitting of the Academy of Sciences of Paris, M. Becquerel read, in the presence 

 of a numerous auditory, a paper relating to one of the most important discoveries of modern 

 times, namely, the application of the electro-chemical power to tho art of metallurgy, especi- 

 ally as regards gold, silver, copper, and lead. After a few preliminary remarks, explaining the 

 various services which this force can render to natural sciences, to arts and manufactures, the 

 learned acad?mician alluded in particular to the refining of the precious metals ; and it will be 

 seen in the course of this analysis the great advantage he has derived from the new 

 methods introduced by him into different branches of industry. It will also be gratifying 

 to learn, that one of the poorest departments of France possesses a gold, silver, and lead 

 mine, and that the happy results already obtained, hold out a still more flattering prospect. 

 The following is an analysis of the memoir presented by M, Becquerel: — The experiments 

 relative to the application of the electro-chemical power to refining (metallurgie) of 

 silver, copper, and lead, without the aid of quicksilver, and with little or no fuel, have been 

 continued by M. Becquerel with constant success : his operations were conducted upon a 

 large scale, and embraced considerable quantities of ores derived from Europe, Asia, and 

 America. The object of these researches was in the first place the immediate separa- 

 tion (reductio) of the metals one from the other, and especially of silver and of lead from 

 galena; this operation was effected with so much rapidity, that at the preparatory foundry 

 in Paris four pounds weight of silver can now be drawn off in the metalled state from silver 

 ore in the space of six hours ; secondly, the preparation which the ore is to undergo, so as 

 to render each metal capable of being withdrawn by the electric current. This preparation 

 varies according to the nature of the ore, presents no obstacle when the silver is in the 



* We need not add that we shall await with interest, the further particulars kindly promised 

 by Dr. Downes.— Ed. 



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