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conceive the Reason, why this smeltingProject miscarried, which was believed tobe brought to its utmost Perfection, as theFire was carried with a clear brilliantFlame some Yards above the Chimney;but so far was this from coinciding withthe chief Intention, that it was really theCause why it proved abortive ; because themoist watry Air drove the Fire from thePlace where it was most wanted, leavingonly such an one behind as calcined theLead to Ashes ; thus we fee, that mathe-matical Attempts are sometimes foundedon a wrong Basis, and that they shouldever be backed by Experience ; and thatoftentimes, especially in these Cases, theplain and simple Reasoning of Metallurgy,is preferable to these aspiring Ideas.

I think it is necessary to mention a Wordfurther concerning these two great Ene-mies in Metallurgy, Air and Water whennot properly adapted; Water must be in-tirely avoided, except it be in washing, im-bibing, and for receiving Quick-silver, whenextracted from its Ore. Air, on all Occasi-ons, must be sparingly used; the Fire indeedwill not burn without it, but then it mustnot be suffer’d to play upon the Metal ;this I am convinced might be done, andthe Air, as an Agent used, without permit*ting it to rob us of the least Particle ofMetal j were wp but to erect such Places to

smelt