1840.] Mode of taking casts from coins, ^c. 939 



quantity, and when they appear to be uniformly damp, they are ready for use. They 

 must now be evenly placed at the proper distance, and in their right position, with a 

 strip of paper passing rather more than three parts round, and held firmly in the 

 fingers, the marks on the mould, made by the end of the hoop of paper in which they 

 were fonned, being the guide for their right position. The sulphur having been melted 

 in a proper vessel (the one used by Mr. Williams being a pastry-cook's pattie-pan, 

 with a handle, and a kind of spout made to it,) is now to be poured between the two 

 sides of the mould, by means of the aperture left in consequence of the paper not com- 

 ing completely round. As the sulphur cools, which is vei-y soon, it shrinks; and the 

 vacancy thus left must be immediately filled up, — this being repeated until the edge 

 is perfectly solid. The moulds are to be removed with the same precautions as when 

 they were taken from the coin, and the edge of the cast carefully pared, and then 

 rendered smooth by being rubbed with a piece of fine sand-paper. Should they be 

 required nearly of the colour of the sulphur, nothing further is requisite, except a 

 slight polishing with a piece of cotton wool, or a soft brush. For his own casts, Mr. 

 "Williams has considered it advisable to use an artificial colour, which is given by 

 applying black lead in powder to the casts, with a soft brush, and then covering them 

 with a varnish composed of a solution of dragon's blood in spirits of wine, which gives 

 them a fine dark, bronze appearance. 



*'Some precautions are necessary to be observed in using the sulphur. When 

 melted, this substance is at first vei*y fluid ; as it gets hotter it becomes thick and ropey, 

 and a still greater degree of heat renders it again comparatively fluid. It is, however, 

 fit for casting in the first of these states only, and if employed in the other cases, 

 usually either destroys the mould, or produces a bad cast. The best criterion is to 

 observe when the sulphur begins to solidify round the edges of the vessel in which it 

 has been melted ; it may then be used with safety. It also often happens that the first 

 cast taken after the mould has been moistened is a bad one, in consequence of there 

 being too much water upon its surface. A second cast taken immediately, without 

 wetting the mould again, will usually be a good one ; and not more than three should 

 be taken without repeating the moistening ; for, should the mould be too dry, it cannot 

 be separated from the sulphur without injury. It is also a good plan to place the 

 wetted moulds upon blotting-paper, as it quickly absorbs the superfluous moisture; 

 but this requires some experience, as the mould often gets too dry to be used without 

 subsequent wetting; and the other method is perhaps the safest for beginners. It is 

 often necessary only to dip the fingers in water, and apply it to the back of the mould, 

 to give it the necessary degree of dampness. These are matters, however, for which a 

 little practice and experience are the best guides. 



" In the casts made from moulds formed in this manner, it is obvious that the thick- 

 ness depends upon the resembrance, or the fancy of the caster. Should the exact 

 thickness be required, the following method of making the mould may be resorted 

 to:— 



" Here, the coin having been oiled, as in the former case, must be placed with the 

 side which is least raised upon a flat surface, such as a piece of glass, or a slate, 

 which has also been previously oiled. The plaster is applied to the upper surface of 

 the coin with the brush, as before, and the whole is then to be covered with as much 

 of the plaster as may be required. When set, this will separate from the surface upon 

 which it has been placed, and exhibit the coin embedded in the mass. It must be 



6d 



