108 
Brass . 
layer of clay taken out, and every kind of dampness expel- 
led, by drying the mould and core with charcoal or lighted 
straw. The core is then replaced in the mould, where it is 
supported in its proper position by short bars of bronze, 
which run through the mould into the core. The mould 
being strongly fortified with iron bars, and fixed in a right 
position, the liquid bronze is poured into the mouth of 
the mould. 
Bronzing , is the art of imitating bronze, or of com- 
municating to figures in wood, ivory, plaster, &c. that 
greenish rust which distinguishes the bronze figures of 
the ancients. The golden bronze is made of the finest 
and brightest copper dust, and when it is wanted of a red 
colour, a small quantity of red ochre, well pulverized, is 
added. They are both put on with varnish, and the body 
to which they are applied is immediately dried over a chaf- 
ing dish, to prevent it from turning green. 
The following method of bronzing figures is extremely 
simple. After having covered the figure with a coat of 
gum water, mixed with a little ’minium,* take a little fish 
glue,t dissolved in spirits of wine,J by exposing them in 
a warm place, and add to it some saffron ; then take the 
filings or dust of any metal which it is wanted to imitate, 
and apply this, when mixed with the glue, to the figure, 
with a hair pencil. 
In bronzing copper, the Chinese first rub it with vine- 
gar and ashes, till it is well polished. When the copper 
is well dried in the sun, they cover it with a coat, made in 
the following manner. Take two parts of verdigris, two 
parts of cinnabar, five parts of sal ammoniac, two parts of 
the bill and liver of ducks, five parts of alum ; pound 
and mix- them well, and form them into a clear paste. The 
copper, after being covered with a coat of this paste, is 
dried, cooled, and washed, and the same operation is re- 
peated about ten times. 
* Red Lead. t Isinglass, 
\ Or 4th proof brandy : 
