t 16 3 
IRON. 
This is the most extensive, and by far the most valua- 
ble manufacture of this, or indeed of any country : for 
beside its intrinsic importance, the perfection of almost 
every other manufacture depends upon that of Iron. 
Important as it is, I know of none so long practised and 
so little understood. Almost all the principal publications 
relating to it, I have at one time or other had occasion to 
consult ; but little as I have seen of the practice, I am fully 
persuaded, that no reading will compensate for want of 
opportunity of observing the actual state of the manufac- 
ture leisurely and patiently in all its stages* However, 
I am- certain that it will be a work of utility, to digest and 
condense the principal facts and observations that I can 
find registered in the publications relating to this subject* 
Those who desire more minute information from writers, 
will have to consult, 
The detail of the Swedish practice in folio with many 
plates by the Baron Emanuel Swedenborg . I have not 
met with this laborious and important work, (which I for- 
merly perused with much interest) in this country «, Nor 
have I found here, 
Hillman's Historia ferri ; a very good book, which is 
Hot yet translated that I know of, at least into English. It 
is translated into German. This was first published in 
1782. 1772 the same author (Sueno Rinman) published 
his Introduction to the art of improving the manufactory 
of Iron and Steel. In 1789 his large Dictionary of min- 
ing. In 1784 and in 1798 and 1800 he published his 
System of mechanics with their application to mining in 
conjunction with Erick Nordwall. These works, of 
which I have seen none but the Historia ferri, are regard- 
ed as stock books on the subject, and ought to be in every 
