663 
on the Alloys of Steel, 
pf cutlery would assuredly add to the value, and consequently 
to the extension of that branch of trade. There are various 
other important uses to which the alloys of steel may advanta- 
geously be applied. If our information be correct, the alloy of 
silver, as well as that of platina, has been, to some considerable 
extent, in use at his Majesty "*8 mint. We do know, that se- 
veral of the alloys have been diligently and successfully made 
on the Continent, very good specimens of some of them having 
been handed to us ; and we are proiid of these testimonies of the 
utility of our endeavours. 
To succeed in making and extending the application of these 
new compounds, a considerable degree of faithful and diligent 
attention will be required on the part of the operators. The 
purity of the metals intended to form the compound is essential ; 
the perfect and complete fusion of both must, in every case, be 
ascertained : it is farther requisite, that the metals be kept for 
some considerable time in the state of thin fusion ; after casting, 
the forging is with equal care to be attended to ; the metal 
must, on no account, be overheated ; and this is more particu- 
larly to be attended to, when the alloying metal is fusible at a 
low temperature, as silver. The same care is to be observed in 
hardening : the article is to be brought to a cherry-red colour, 
and then instantly quenched in the cold fluid. 
In tempering, which is best performed in a metallic bath pro- 
perly constructed, the bath will require to be heated for the re- 
spective alloys, from about 70° to 100° of Fahrenheit above the 
point of temperature required for the best fcast-steel. We would 
farther recommend, that this act of tempering be performed 
twice ; that is, at the usual time before grinding, and again just 
before the last polish is given to the blade. This second tem- 
pering may perhaps appear superfluous, but upon trial its uti- 
lity will be readily admitted. We were led to adopt the prac- 
tice by analogy, v»^hen considering the process of making and 
tempering watch springs. 
