f 63 ] 



which we are in pofleffion, give us greater light 

 into hiftory, than the once famous libraries of 

 Alexandria and Pergamus, which are now no 

 more? From thefe, and many other considera- 

 tions, I would willingly contribute my endea- 

 vours to render this ftudy more general, and 

 confequently more ufeful. I have tried a variety 

 of methods to enable a young medalift to collect 

 a cabinet, which may initiate him into the 

 knowledge pf medals and coins at a trifling 

 expence. 



The method of taking off plafter of Paris 

 and fulphur imprefllons, is known to every body : 

 the firft is too foft to preferve them from injury, 

 and the brittlenefs of fulphur is a greater ob- 

 jection, 



I found by forming a coat or layer of thin 

 metal over the plafter of Paris, it would be a 

 confiderable defence. Tin is the cheaper!: and 

 moft convenient metal for the purpofe, as it is 

 fijfriciently flexible, and at the fame time very 

 much refembles filver. The tin-foil I have 

 tried, is of the fame kind with that ufed for fil- 

 vering looking-glaflfes. It fhould be laid over 

 the medal or coin intended to be taken off, and 

 then rubbed either with a brufh, the point of a 

 Ikewer, or a pin, till it has received perfectly the 

 impreffion of the medal ; the tin-foil mould now 

 be pared off round the edge of the medal, till it 

 is brought to the fame circumference : the medal 

 muft then be reverfed, and the tin-foil will drop 

 off into a chip box or mould ready to receive it, 

 the concave fide of the foil, or that which is laid 

 pn the face of the medal, being uppermoft upon 

 this pour plafter of Paris made in the ufual man- 

 ner, and when dry, the figure may be taken out 



of 



