Cast Steel * 
355 
product, and may reasonably be expected to be still less 
in operations on a large scale. He thinks, moreover, that 
this new method may probably turn out of high value for 
producing steel of uniform quality with regard to the dose 
of carbon. For he thinks that this quantity, or propor- 
tion is likely to be determined by the equilibrium of the 
forces of affinity which cause the decomposition 
of the carbonic acid. Or, in other words, if we sup- 
pose an indefinite quantity of carbonic acid to be presented 
at an elevated temperature to a mass of iron not greater 
than could be converted by the dose of carbon contained 
in that acid, the iron will form two combinations, the 
oxyde and the steel ; and it is conceived that the equilibri- 
um between the attraction which tends to preserve the 
union of principles in carbonic acid, and those which am 
exerted between the iron and those principles will prove 
to be such that the carburet of iron will be formed precise- 
ly in those proportions which constitute good cast-steel. 
This subject, which certainly shews the acuteness of Ci- 
tizen Guyton with regard to the doctrines of chemical at- 
traction, must be decided by the test of experiment. 
The report is concluded with a summary of the facts 
and observations it contains, together with an inference, 
that the immediate conversion of iron into steel, without 
using charcoal, is a great and valuable discovery with re- 
gard to the increase of national industry ; that there is no 
doubt but the process will succeed in the large way, and 
that Citizen Clouet is entitled to a public recompence for 
his liberal, and unreserved communications. 
That all the facts are of high value to science, and that 
the ’ observation respecting the combination of vitreous 
matter with iron, as well as that which shews that carbo- 
nic acid can produce the steel conversion, are new and 
important, cannot be questioned ; but whether the use of 
carbonate of lime and clay, which is 
attended with some 
