_Sunk_ into the _Matrices_? The Answer is, a Thick _Space_ deep,
though deeper even to an n would be yet better: Because the deeper
the _Punches_ are _Sunk_, the lower does the _Beards_ stand below
the _Face_, and those _Beards_ when the _Cast-Letter_ comes into the
_Printers_ Hands to be used, are the less subject to _Print_, as too
oft they do both at _Head_ or _Foot_ of a _Page_, than when they
lie so high that the softness of the _Blankets_, and Hardness of a
_Pull_, or else carelesness of Running the _Carriage_ of the _Press_
to a considered Mark they would be. But they are seldom _Sunk_ any
deeper then a thick Space: and the reason is, because the breaking or
battering the _Face_ of the _Punch_ should not be too much hazarded.
The many _Punches_ to be _Sunk_ into _Matrices_ for the same _Body_,
are difficult to be _Sunk_ of an equal depth. Therefore I always make
a _Beard-Gage_, as is described in _Plate_ 19 at F, where _a b_ is
a _Sholder_ that rests upon the _Face_ of the _Matrice_, _c_ is the
_Point_ or _Gage_ that measures the depth of the _Sunken Punch_. So
that when the _Point_ _c_ just touches the _Bottom_, and both the
_Sholders_ _a b_ the _Face_ of the _Matrice_, the _Punch_ may be
accounted well Sunk as to depth.
But though it be accounted well _Sunk_ for a first Essay, yet can it
not be reasonably imagined it is well _Sunk_ for good and all; as well
because in _Sinking_ the _Punches_ it has carryed some part of the
_Surface_ of the _Matrice_ down below the _Face_ of the _Matrice_ into
the _Body_ of the _Copper_, as because both the _Sides_ are doubtless
extorted, and one Side or Part of the _Punch Sunk_ more or less deeper
than the other. Wherefore I now come to
¶. 2. _Justifying the_ Matrices.
_Justifying_ of _Matrices_ is, 1. to make the _Face_ of the _Sunken_
Letter, lie an exact designed depth below the _Face_ of the _Matrice_,
and on all its sides equally deep from the _Face_ of the _Matrice_. 2.
It is to set or _Justifie_ the _Foot-line_ of the Letter exactly in
_Line_. 3. It is to _Justifie_ both the sides, _viz._ the Right and
left-sides of a _Matrice_ to an exact thickness.
Therefore to proceed Methodically, he first slightly Files down the
_Bunchings_ out that the _Punch_ made in the Sides of the _Matrice_;
And then slightly Files down all the _Copper_, on the _Face_ of the
_Matrice_, till the Hollow the _Punch_ made becomes even with the whole
_Face_ of the _Matrice_.
Then he _Casts_ a _Proof-Letter_ or two, and _Rubs_ them: And with the
Edge of a Knife cuts out what may remain in the bottom of the _Shanck_
by reason of the un-even breaking, off of the _Break_ that the square
bottom of the _Shanck_ may not be born off the _Bottom-Ledge_ of the
_Lining-Stick_.
But having till now said nothing of the _Lining-Stick_, it is proper
before I proceed, to give a Description of it: It is delineated in
_Plate_ 19 at G. Where G is the _Plain_, _a_ the _Side-Ledge_, _b_ the
_Bottom-Ledge_, _c_ the _Stilt_, all made of _Brass_.
The _Plain_ is exactly flat, Straight, and Smooth, that the _Shancks_
of the _Letter_ being likewise so, may lie flat and solidly on it.
Its depth between the _Bottom-Ledge_, and the fore edge is about the
length of the _Shanck_ of the Letter: But the whole _Plain_ of _Brass_
is yet deeper; Because the _Bottom-Ledge_ is fastned on it. The
_Lining-Stick_ is about two _Inches_ long for small Letters; but longer
for Big-_Bodyed_ _Letters_.
Both _Bottom_ and _Side-Ledge_, is a thin piece of _Brass_, from a
_Scaboard_ to a _Pica_ thick, according as the _Body_ whose _Face_ and
_Foot-line_ is to be _Justified_ in it is bigger or less. These two
_Ledges_ is an Inside Square exactly wrought, and with small _Rivets_
fastned on the _Side_ edge, and on the _Bottom_ edge.
The _Stilt_ is a thin flat piece of _Brass-Plate_ about a _Scaboard_
thick, and a _Double-Pica_ broad: One of its edges is _Soldered_
to the under-side of the _Plain_, about a _Double-Pica_ within the
fore-edge of the _Plain_, that the _Lining-Stick_ (when set by with
_Proof-Letters_ in it) may not lie flat on its _Bottom_; but have its
fore edge _Tilted_ up, that the _Letters_ in it may rest against the
_Bottom-Ledge_.
Having cut the _Notch_ in the _Break_ of the _Letters_ as aforesaid,
He _Rubs_ every side of them on the _Stone_, with two or three hard
_Rubs_, to take off the small _Rags_ that may happen on the _Shanck_ of
the _Letter_, notwithstanding the _Mold_ is imagined to be very truly
made and _Justified_.
The _Stone_ is commonly a whole _Grind-Stone_, about eighteen Inches
diameter, having both its sides truly _Rub’d_ flat and smooth, by
_Jostling_ it (as _Masons_ call it) upon another broad long and flat
Stone with _Sand_ and _Water_. It must have a fine, but very sharp
_Greet_. Now to return.
He places a Quadrat of the same _Body_, on the _Plain_ of the
_Lining-stick_, and against the _Side-Ledge_ of it He sets up three
or four old m’s of the same _Body_: Then sets up his _Proof-Letter_
or _Letters_, and after his _Proof-Letter_ three or four old m’s more
of the same _Body_; and being very careful that the _Foot_ of the
_Shanck_ of the Letter stands full down against the _Bottom-Ledge_ of
the _Lining-stick_, He applies the edge of the _Liner_ to the _Faces_
of all these Letters: And if he finds that the edge of the _Liner_ just
touch (and no more) as well all the parts of his _Proof-Letters_ as
they do upon his old _Letters_, He concludes his _Matrice_ is _Sunk_ to
a true _Height against Paper_.
But he seldom hopes for so good luck; but does more likely expect the
_Matrice_ is _Sunk_ too deep or too shallow, and awry on the right and
left-side, or on the top or bottom of the _Line_, for all or any of
these Faults the _Liner_ will easily discover. Therefore I shall shew
you how he _Justifies_ a _Matrice_ that is too _High against Paper_.
We will suppose the _Face_ of the _Punch_ is _Sunk_ flat and straight
down into the _Matrice_; but yet it is a little too deep _Sunk_.
Therefore he considers how much it is too deep: If it be but a little
too deep, perhaps when the _Face_ of the _Matrice_ shall be made
exactly flat (for yet it is but _Rough-Filed_) it may be wrought down
to be just of an _Height against Paper_. But if the _Punch_ be _Sunk_
so much too deep that the smoothing the flat of the _Face_ on the
_Using-File_ will not work it low enough; then with a _Bastard-cut
flat-File_, he takes off (according to his Discretion) so much _Copper_
from the _Face_ of the _Matrice_ as will make it so much nearer as he
thinks it wants to the _Face_ of the Letter. But yet considers that
the _Face_ of the _Matrice_ is yet to smoothen on the _Using-File_,
and therefore he is careful not to take too much off the _Face_ of the
_Matrice_ with the _Rough-File_.
He is also very careful that when he is to _File_ upon the _Face_ of
the _Matrice_, to _Screw_ the _Face_ of it Horizontally flat in the
_Vice_: And that in _Filing_ upon it, he keeps his _File_ directly
Horizontal, as was shewed, _Numb._ 1. _Fol._ 15, 16. _Vol._ 1. For
if he let his right or left hand dip, the _File_ will in its Natural
Progress take too much off the side it dips upon, and consequently the
_Face_ of the Letter on that side will lie shallower from the _Face_ of
the _Matrice_ then it will on the opposite side. The like caution he
makes, in _Filing_ between the _Top_ and _Bottom_ of the _Matrice_ on
the _Face_. For if he _Files_ away too much _Copper_ toward the _Top_
or _Bottom_, the _Face_ of the _Letter_ on its _Top_ or _Bottom-Line_,
will lie on that end shallower from the _Face_ of the _Matrice_.
Then he considers by his _Proof-Letters_ how much too thick the right
or left-side of the _Matrice_ is.
I told you in §. 11. ¶. 4. that the Angle the _Sholder_ made with the
_Face_ of the _Letter_, is about 100 Degrees, which is 10 Degrees more
then a _right Angle_ or _Square_. So that if a _Letter_ be _Cast_ and
_Rub’d_ just so thick that the _Liner_ when applied to the _Shanck_ of
the _Letter_ reaches just to the _Sholder_, there will be an _Angle_ of
10 Degrees, contained between the edge of the _Liner_ and the _Straight
Line_ that proceeds from the _Sholder_ at the _Shanck_, to the
outer-edge of the _Face_ of the _Letter_. And if two _Letters_ be thus
_Cast_ and _Rub’d_ and _Set_ together, the _Angle_ contained between
their _Shancks_, and the outer-edge of the _Face_ of the _Letter_
will be 20 Degrees, which is too wide by half for the _Faces_ of two
_Letters_ to stand assunder. Therefore the sides of the _Matrice_ must
be so _Justified_, that when the _Shancks_ of two _Letters_ stand close
together, the _Angle_ between both the _Shancks_, and the adjacent
outer-edges of the _Faces_ of the _Letters_ may both make an _Angle_
of about 10 Degrees as aforesaid, which is a convenient distance for
two _Letters_ to stand assunder at the _Face_. But to do which, If
the right-side be too thick, the _Register_ of the under-half of the
_Mold_, being (as I said) hard screw’d, so as to stand about an n off
the edge of the _Body_ towards the right hand; He places the _Foot_ of
the _Matrice_ on the _Stool_, and the right-side of the _Matrice_ close
against the _Register_, and observes how much too thick that side of
the _Matrice_ is: For so much as the right-hand edge of the _Orifice_
of the _Matrice_ stands on the left-hand side of the _Body_, so much is
the Right-side of the _Matrice_ too thick, and must by several offers
be _Filed_ away with a _Bastard-Cut-File_, not all at once, least (ere
he be aware) he makes that side of the _Matrice_ too thin, which will
be a great dammage to the _Matrice_, and cannot be mended but with a
_Botch_, as shall in proper place be shewed.
Having by several proffers wrought the right-side of the _Matrice_
thus near its thickness, he proceeds to _Justifie_ the left-side also.
But this side must be _Justified_ by the upper half of the _Mold_; By
turning the top of the _Matrice_ downwards, and placing the left-side
of it (now the right-side) against the _Register_, and works away the
left-side in all respects as he did the right-side; still being very
cautious he takes not to much _Copper_ away at once.
To _Justifie_ the _Letter_ in _Line_ he examins the _Proof-Letter_
(yet standing in the _Lining-Stick_) and applies the _Liner_ to the
_Foot-line_: And if the _Liner_ touch all the way upon the _Foot-line_
of the _Proof-Letter_ and the _Foot-Line_ of all the old m’s, that
_Matrice_ is _Justified_ in _Line_. But this also very rarely happens
at first, for by design it is generally made to stand too low in
_Line_: Because the _Bottom_ of the _Matrice_ may by several proffers
be _Filed_ away till the _Letter_ stand exactly in _Line_. But should
he take too much off the _Bottom_ of the _Matrice_, it cannot be made
to stand lower without another _Botch_.
Nor does he reckon that this first Operation, or perhaps several more
such, shall _Justifie_ the _Matrice_ in _Line_. But after bringing both
the sides of the _Matrice_ thus near, and also bringing the _Matrice_
thus near the _Line_. He _Casts_ another _Proof-Letter_ or two, and
_Rubbing_ all the sides of their _Shancks_, as before was shew’d, he
tries by _Rubbing_ the _Letters_ how near he has brought the thickness
of both the sides: For when the sides of the _Matrice_ are brought just
to such a thickness, that the _Shanck_ of the _Letter_ (_Cast_ in the
_Mold_) _Rubs_ flat half way up beyond the _Beard_ towards the _Face_
of the _Letter_, the _Matrice_ is of a convenient thickness, and there
the _Angle_ from the _Beard_ of the _Shanck_, to the outer-edge of
two _Letters_ set together, will make an _Angle_ of about 10 degrees
as aforesaid, which being about one third part of a _thin Space_ is a
convenient distance for the adjacent edges of two _Letters_ to stand
assunder: But yet _Founders_ sometimes to _Get in_ or _drive-out_,
_Cast_ the _Letters_ thinner or thicker, and consequently their _Faces_
stand closer or wider assunder, which is unseemly when the _Letter_
comes to be _Printed_.
Then he sets the _Proof-Letters_ in the _Lining-Stick_, between four
or five old m’s as before, and with the _Liner_ examins again how well
these _Proof-Letters_ stand in _Line_ with the old m’s, which if they
do not, he Reiterates the former Operations so oft, till the sides and
_Line_ of the _Matrice_ is _Justified_, and at every Operation _Casts_
new _Proof-Letters_ to examine the thickness of both the Sides, and how
well the _Matrice_ is _Justified_ to _Stand in Line_.
The _Matrice_ being now _Justified_, he Files a _Leather-Groove_ round
about it, _viz._ a _Notch_ (made properest with a three square _File_)
within about a thick _Scaboard_ of the top of the _Matrice_, to tie the
_Leather_ fast to.
He also _Files_ another _Notch_ in the back-side of the _Matrice_
athwart it, to rest the point of the _Wyer_ or _Spring_ in. But this
_Notch_ must by no means be made before the _Matrice_ be _Justified_ to
its true _Height against Paper_: Because when this _Notch_ is made, the
_Punch_ cannot again be struck in the _Matrice_; For that the _Matrice_
will not lie solid on the _Stake_ in that place.
¶. 3. _Of_ Botching-Matrices, _to make them serve the better_.
_Matrices_ are sometimes either through a careless, or sometimes
through an unlucky stroak or two of the _File_ made too thin. And
sometimes the _Foot_ of the _Matrice_ is too much taken away, and the
Letter by that means stands too high in _Line_: And sometimes the
_Face_ of the _Matrices_ is too much taken away; So that the Letter
will not stand _High enough against Paper_.
To remedy all or any part of these inconveniencies, _Founders_ are
forced to make _Botches_ on the _Matrice_: As first, If the _Matrice_
be too thin on the right or left-side, or both; They prick up that
side, by laying the _Matrice_ flat on the _Work-Bench_, with the thin
side upwards, and holding the point of a _Punch-Graver_ aslope upon the
thin side, with an _Hammer_ drive the point into the thin side of the
_Matrice_, and so raise a _Bur_ upon that side; which _Bur_ (though
it thicken not the _Matrice_, yet it) makes the side of the _Matrice_
stand off the _Register_, and consequently is equevalent to thickning
it.
The higher this _Bur_ is raised, the better is the _Matrice Botcht_;
because the thin fine points thus raised (if not pretty well flatted
into the Substance of the _Bur_) will quickly either wear off by the
pressure of the _Register_ against them, or else flatten into the
_Body_ of the _Bur_, and both ways makes the _Matrice_ again too thin.
Sometimes they do not _Botch_ the _Matrice_ thus for this fault; but
only Paste a piece of Paper, or a Card, (according as it may want
thickness) against the thin side of the _Matrice_ and so thicken it.
But to mend the sides I use another Expedient, _viz._ by Soldering a
piece of _Plate-Brass_ against its thin side or sides, which is much
better than _Botching_ it.
_Secondly_, If the _Matrice_ be filed away too much at the _Foot_, they
knock it up with the _Pen_ of the _Hammer_; and stretch it between the
_Foot_ and the _Orifice_ of the _Matrice_, and then _Justifie_ it again
in _Line_. Or a piece may be _Soldered_ under the _Foot_.
_Thirdly_, If the _Face_ of the _Matrice_ be too much taken away, and
either the _Punch_ spoiled or the _Notch_ in the back of the _Matrice_
made so, as it cannot be _Sunken_ deeper, they raise a _Bur_ on the
_Face_, as they did on the thin sides, to keep the _Matrice_ off the
_Carriages_ and _Bodies_ which Lengthens the height of the Letter
_against Paper_ so much as is the height of the raised _Bur_. But of
all the _Botches_ this is the worst, because the _Beard_ lies now
nearer the _Face_: And the hollow standing off of the _Face_ of the
_Matrice_ from the _Carriages_ and _Bodies_, subjects the Mettal to run
between them, and so pesters the Workman to get the Letter out of the
_Mold_ and _Matrice_.
Sect. XVIII, _Of setting up the_ Furnance.
Having _Justified_ the _Mold_ and _Matrice_, we come now to _Casting_
of _Letters_: But yet we have neither _Furnance_, _Mettal_, or _Ladle_.
Wherefore it is the _Founders_ care, first to provide these.
The _Furnance_ I have described in Plate 20. It is built of Brick
upright, with four square sides and a Stone on the top, in which Stone
is a wide round hole for the _Pan_ to stand in. _a b c d_ The square
Stone at the top, covering the whole _Furnance_. This is indeed the
_Furnance_. _a d_, _b c_ The breadth two Foot and one Inch. _a b_, _c
d_ The Length two Foot three Inches. Into the Breadth and Length about
the whole Stone, is let in even with the top of the Stone a square
_Iron Band_ two Inches deep, and a quarter and half quarter of an Inch
thick to preserve the Edges of the Stone from battering. _e_ The round
hole the Pan stands in, which hath an _Iron Plate_ let into it eight
Inches diameter, an Inch and half broad and one quarter of an Inch
thick.
This _Iron_-Plate fits the _inside_ of the _Hole_ so far as it is
Circular, and consequently is a _Segment_ of a _Circle_. But where the
_Smoak-vent_ breaks off the Circularity of the Stone, there ends this
Plate of _Iron_, that the Smoak may have the freer vent. Its Office
also is to preserve the Edge of the _Hole_ from battering, with the oft
taking out and putting in the _Iron Pan_.
_f_ The _Funnel_ seven Inches high, and five Inches
wide.
_g_ The _Stoke-Hole_ four Inches wide, and six Inches
long.
_h h_ The height of the _Furnance_ two Foot ten
Inches.
_i_ The _Air-Hole_ just underneath the Hearth to let
in Air that the Fire may burn the freer.
_k_ The _Ash-Hole_ where the Ashes that fall from the
Hearth are taken away.
_l m n o_ The _Bench_ two Foot broad, three Foot long, and two Foot
eight Inches high. The _Bench_ is to empty the Letters out of the
_Mold_ upon, as the _Founder Casts_ them.
The _Hearth_ lies seven Inches below the top of the round _Hole_, and
hath under it another round _Iron-Ring_ of the same demensions with
the first, on which straight _Iron-Bars_ are fastened that the _Fire_
is laid on. In the round _Iron-Ring_ (or rather Segment) on the top of
the _Furnance_ is set the _Pan_, which is either a _Plate Ladle_, or a
small _Cast-Iron Kettle_ that sinks into it within two Inches of the
_Brims_ of the _Pan_.
¶. 2. _Of making_ Mettal.
The Mettal _Founders_ make _Printing-Letters_ of, is _Lead_ hardned
with _Iron_: Thus they chuse _stub-Nails_ for the best _Iron_ to Melt,
as well because they are asured _stub-Nails_ are made of good soft and
tough _Iron_, as because (they being in small pieces of _Iron_) will
Melt the sooner.
To make the _Iron Run_, they mingle an equal weight of _Antimony_
(beaten in an Iron-Morter into small pieces) and _stub-Nails_ together.
And preparing so many Earthen forty or fifty pounds _Melting-Pots_
(made for that purpose to endure the _Fire_) as they intend to use:
They _Charge_ these Pots with the mingled _Iron_ and _Antimony_ as full
as they will hold.
Every time they Melt _Mettal_, they build a new _Furnance_ to melt it
in: This _Furnance_ is called an _Open Furnance_; because the Air blows
in through all its sides to Fan the _Fire_: They make it of Bricks in a
broad open place, as well because the Air may have free access to all
its sides, as that the Vapours of the _Antimony_ (which are Obnoxious)
may the less offend those that officiate at the _Making_ the _Mettal_:
And also because the Violent Fire made in the _Furnance_ should not
endanger the Firing any adjacent Houses.
They consider before they make the _Furnance_ how many Pots of _Mettal_
they intend to Melt, and make the _Furnance_ sizable to that number:
We will suppose _five_ _Pots_. Therefore they first make a Circle on
the Ground capable to hold these five _Pots_, and wider yet by three or
four Inches round about: Then within this Circle they lay a Course of
Bricks close to one another to fill the Plain of that Platform, with
their broad or flat sides downwards, and their ends all one way, and
on this Course of Bricks they lay another Course of Bricks as before,
only the Lengths of this Course of Bricks lies athwart the Breadths of
the other Course of Bricks: Then they lay a third Course of Bricks with
their lengths cross the Breadth of the second Course of Bricks.
Having thus raised a Platform, they place these five _Pots_ in the
middle of it close to one another, and then on the Foundation or
Platform raise the _Furnance_ round about by laying the Bricks of
the first _Lay_ end to end and flat, close to one another: On the
second _Lay_, they place the middle of a Brick over a _Joynt_ (as
_Brick-layers_ call it) that is where the ends of two Bricks joyn
together, and so again lay Bricks end to end till they _Trim_ round
the _Platform_. Then they lay a third _Lay_ of Bricks, covering the
_Joynts_ of the second _Lay_ of Bricks as before: So is the Foundation
finisht.
Then they raise the Walls to the _Furnance_ on this Foundation; But do
not lay the ends of their Bricks close together. But lay the ends of
each Brick about three Inches off each other, to serve for _Wind-holes_
till they _Trim_ round about: Then they lay another _Lay_ of Bricks
leaving other such _Wind-holes_ over the middle of the last _Lay_ of
Bricks, and so _Trim_ as they work round either with half Bricks or
Bats that the _Wind-holes_ of the last _Lay_ may be covered: And in
this manner and order they lay so many _Lays_ till the Walls of the
_Furnance_ be raised about three Bricks higher than the _Mouths_ of the
_Melting-Pots_, still observing to leave such _Wind-holes_ over the
middle of every Brick that lies under each _Lay_.
Then they fill the sides of the _Furnance_ round about the
_Melting-Pots_, and over them with _Charcoal_, and _Fire_ it at several
_Wind-holes_ in the bottom till it burn up and all over the _Furnance_,
which a moderate Wind in about an Hours time will do: And about half an
Hours time after they lay their Ears near the Ground and listen to hear
a _Bubling_ in the _Pots_; and this they do so often till they do hear
it. When they hear this _Bubling_, they conclude the _Iron_ is melted:
But yet they will let it stand, perhaps half an hour longer or more,
according as they guess the Fire to be Hotter or Cooler, that they may
be the more assured it is all throughly Melted. And when it is Melted
the Melting _Pot_ will not be a quarter full.
And in or against that time they make another small _Furnance_ close
to the first, (to set an _Iron-Pot_ in, in which they Melt _Lead_) on
that side from whence the Wind blows; Because the Person that Lades
the _Lead_ out of the _Iron-Pot_ (as shall be shewed by and by) may be
the less annoyed with the Fumes of the _Mettal_, in both _Furnances_.
This _Furnance_ is made of three or four _Course_ of Bricks open to the
windward, and wide enough to contain the designed _Iron-Pot_, with room
between it and the sides to hold a convenient quantity of _Charcoal_
under it, and about it.
Into this _Iron-Pot_ they put for every three Pound of _Iron_, about
five and twenty pounds of _Lead_. And setting Fire to the _Coals_ in
this little _Furnance_ they Melt and Heat this _Lead_ Red-hot.
Hitherto a Man (nay, a Boy) might officiate all this Work; But now
comes Labour would make _Hercules_ sweat. Now they fall to pulling down
so much of the side of the open _Furnance_ as stands above the Mouth
of that _Melting-Pot_ next the _Iron-Pot_, And having a thick strong
_Iron Ladle_, whose _Handle_ is about two Yards long, and the _Ladle_
big enough to hold about ten Pounds of _Lead_, and this _Ladle_ Red-hot
that it chill not the _Mettal_, they now I say with this _Ladle_ fall
to clearing this first _Melting-Pot_ of all the Coals or filth that
lie on the top of the Melted _Mettal_: while another Man at the same
time stands provided with a long strong round _Iron Stirring Poot_;
the _Handle_ of which _Stirring Poot_ is also about two Yards long
or more, and the _Poot_ it self almost twice the length of the depth
of the Melting _Pot_. This _Poot_ is nothing but a piece of the same
_Iron_ turned to a square with the Handle: And this _Poot_ is also in a
readiness heated Red-hot.
Now one Man with the _Ladle_ _Lades_ the _Lead_ out of the _Iron-Pot_
into the Melting _Pot_, while the other Man with the _Poot_ stirs
and Labours the _Lead_ and _Mettal_ in the Melting _Pot_ together
till they think the _Lead_ and _Mettal_ in the Melting _Pot_ be well
incorporated: And thus they continue _Lading_ and _Stirring_ till they
have near filled the Melting _Pot_.
Then they go to another next _Melting-Pot_, and successively to all,
and Lade and stir _Lead_ into them as they did into the first. Which
done the _Mettal_ is made: And they pull down the _Walls_ of the _Open
Furnance_, and rake away the Fire that the _Mettal_ may cool in the
_Pots_.
Now (according to Custom) is Half a Pint of Sack mingled with Sallad
Oyl, provided for each Workman to Drink; intended for an Antidote
against the Poysonous Fumes of the _Antimony_, and to restore the
Spirits that so Violent a Fire and Hard Labour may have exhausted.
[Illustration:
_Plate 20._
]