54 
LIVERPOOL CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
of calcination and melting, in order to separate the sulphur, etc., which it contains, from 
the copper. A description of these processes would occupy too much space to be here 
given, but we may just mention that there are successively produced calcined coarse 
metal; metal, or white metal, which contains from 65 to 75 per cent, of copper; and 
blister-copper, containing about 95 per cent, of copper. 
The last operation is termed ‘ refining,’ and upon leaving the melting-furnaces Mr. 
Hopkins conducted the party to witness this process. About six or seven tons of 
4 blister-copper ’ is introduced into the refining-furnace and there melted, and kept, in 
a melted state, exposed to the oxidizing action of the air which enters the furnace. The 
slag which forms is skimmed off, and the workman takes out a small quantity of the 
copper in a ladle, and after allowing it to cool examines its fracture, and judges whether 
the process of oxidation has been sufficiently prolonged. If it has, the process of 
toughening is commenced. The metal is first carefully skimmed, and some good coal 
(anthracite answers best) is thrown upon the surface. After a short time a long wooden 
pole—of oak or birch, and as green as possible—is thrust into the melted copper. The 
wood is rapidly decomposed, and much gas and vapour evolved, which causes the metal 
to be violently agitated, and every part of it exposed to the reducing action of the coal 
upon its surface. This operation is termed ‘ poling.’ From time to time the workman 
takes out a small quantity of the metal, or ‘ proof,’ as it is termed, and tests its qualities, 
and when he finds that the process is finished, the metal is ladled out as rapidly as pos¬ 
sible into copper moulds. The process of moulding was proceeding at the time we visited 
the refinery, and we were much pleased with the manner in which it was conducted. A 
number of moulds were first made from the melted copper by means of a machine for the 
purpose. These were ranged over a trough of water upon stands so hinged that, as soon 
as the moulds were full and the copper had sufficiently solidified, they could be turned 
over into the water and the metal cooled rapidly. This concludes the smelting process, 
and the copper is ready for removing from the works. Several other interesting pro¬ 
cesses are carried on in the works of Messrs. Lambert, but time would not allow them 
to be inspected, but the party left the works about a quarter past one o’clock, highly 
pleased with their visit. 
They next proceeded to the Moss Bank Bone Works of Messrs. J. Knight and Co., 
where, under the guidance of Mr. Knight and his partner, Dr. Edwards, of Liverpool, 
they inspected the several interesting processes for manufacturing animal charcoal, super¬ 
phosphate of lime, and other artificial manures, and various products for which this firm 
is so well known. 
The next movement was to a field adjoining the works, where, under cover of a tent, 
a most sumptuous luncheon had been provided by Dr. Edwards. The company having 
taken their places, grace was said, and a hearty onslaught was then made upon the good 
things provided ; and we must say that the liberality of Dr. Edwards appeared to be fully 
appreciated, and will no doubt be long remembered with pleasure by all those who ex¬ 
perienced it. After luncheon several toasts were drunk, including the Queen and Consti¬ 
tution, the health of Dr. Edwards and Mr. Knight, “ Success to the Chemists’ Associa¬ 
tion,” “ Success to the Moss Bank Bone Works,” the health of the President of the So¬ 
ciety, John Shaw, Esq.; the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Norman Tate; Mr. R. Clay, the 
first President; and others connected with the Society. 
At three o’clock the signal was given to return to the Runcorn Gap Station, to meet 
several friends expected by the 3.35 train. Upon the arrival of this train the party re¬ 
ceived an addition of about a dozen gentlemen, and then proceeded to the alkali works 
of Messrs. Gaskell, Deacon, and Co. The various processes carried on in these works 
were shown and explained by Mr. Deacon and his chemist, Mr. Eustace Carey. We 
were particularly struck with the admirable arrangement of these works, everything 
appearing to be just in its right place, each department complete in itself, yet conve¬ 
niently connected with the others ; so that all waste of time, labour, or material, is 
most efficiently prevented. We understand that this firm received a medal at the Inter¬ 
national Exhibition of 1862, and judging from the specimens of their manufacture 
which we noticed in the works, they well deserved it. The excellent quality of their 
crystallized carbonate of soda and their bicarbonate of soda was very much admired; 
and amongst the gentlemen present were some good judges of those articles. 
The next works visited were those of Messrs. J. Hutchinson and Co., where the party 
was met and shown through the works by the manager, Mr. Powell, and the chemist, 
