SMELTING OF COPPER. 



15 



then melted in the refining-furnace, and drawn 

 off into moulds about twenty inches long, twelve 

 wide, and three or four thick. In this state it is 

 exported. 



We forded the river again with still more dif- 

 ficulty, as it had risen considerably in the inter- 

 val. After getting fairly across, we paid a visit 

 to a family, who had assembled at their door, to 

 watch our dangerous navigation ; for it is a plea- 

 sant fashion in these countries, that a stranger 

 may enter the house of any person, at any hour, 

 always sure of a welcome reception. On the pre- 

 sent occasion, our visit was peculiarly well bestow- 

 ed, as it afforded the people an opportunity of a 

 nearer view of the strangers, who, we found, were 

 objects of no small curiosity : wherever we went, 

 indeed, we were accompanied by a train of won- 

 dering children ; and, on passing along the streets, 

 all the doors and windows were filled with gaping 

 heads. We were the last people in the world to 

 object to being thus made shows of ; particularly 

 as it afforded us in return an opportunity of see- 

 ing all the inhabitants. They were much fairer in 

 complexion than the natives of the other parts of 



