A Ramble in West Shropshire. 185 



dense. * It is to be made into a stiff paste with water, and 

 then introduced into those hollows of the metal-work which are 

 to be thus decorated. When the paste has become dry the 

 excess is to be removed with a cloth, and then the lines which 

 have been filled up are to be carefully painted over with a 

 strong solution of chloride of zinc. For this purpose a satu- 

 rated solution, diluted with its own bulk of water, may be 

 used. In ten minutes the composition sets, but it continues 

 to become harder and harder for several days. Where coloured 

 instead of white inlays are required, exactly the same directions 

 are to be followed, the oxide of zinc being", however, carefully 

 mixed with the necessary colours in powder before the com- 

 position is moistened with water. In all cases the operation 

 succeeds best when the materials are warm ; it is a great im- 

 provement to use the chloride of zinc solution hot. Before 

 the oxychloride of zinc sets its surface may be polished with 

 a piece of smooth box wood. For small objects the oxide of 

 zinc may be mixed with the chloride, and the paste at once 

 introduced, but for large objects the paste hardens before the 

 work is finished. 



The three processes we have described admit of many 

 variations in practice, variations by which they may be adapted 

 to different forms, designs, and materials. 



A RAMBLE IN WEST SHROPSHIRE. 



BY THE REV. J. D. LA TOUCHE. 



The hilly tract of country which lies to the west of Shropshire 

 has probably been less explored than it deserves. Except to 

 the huntsman, whose earnest pursuit of his favourite sport 

 sometimes carries him into it, or an enterprising geologist 

 resolved to " rough it" at the wayside " publics," which are here 

 few and far between, it has of late years been known to few 

 besides those who actually reside in it. Of late years, I say, 

 for there are abundant evidences that in earlier times it was 

 the scene of a busy and enterprizing population. The mineral 

 wealth with which it abounds having attracted, the notice of 

 the Romans, and traces exist of their industry, both in ancient 

 works for the manufacture of lead, and the villas in which 

 they lived. Being, however, considerably out of the highroad 

 of traffic, and separated by the Longmynd, a tract of high 

 land running north and south for upwards of 15 miles, from 

 * Winsor and Newton's condensed zinc white answers well. 



