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Acid and Sulphur abound, we have re-course to Alkalies, which correct and ab-sorb the Acid, and dissolve the Sulphur; ifBitumen, or Earth-pitch, clog the Mineral,then Lie made of Lime, or else common.,, Water and Air, must be our Menstruumsto dissolve them; if either of these lastMethods is made use of, it must be a Workof Time, because the Lime-lie or Water isto be poured upon it at several Intervals,and in the intermediate Space it is to beexposed to the Air, and that as often asOccasion shall require. By these Means,and with the Assistance of proper Ma-chines, Minerals maybe worked in largeQuantities at once; so that the Smelter'■ should not despise these as tedious and un-profitable Discoveries.
The last Method I have mentioned, hasindeed by some been censured, by othersderided, and looked upon as quite uselessin Metallurgy, judging such Processes of noService in the Treatment of stubborn, ad-verse, and hard-fiowing Minerals; but, inanswer to such Persons, I need only appealto Experience, the very Touch-stonewhereby all Matters of this Nature are tobe decided, and their mistaken NotionsWill clearly appear from the Process madeof Silver and Quick-lime; which is as fol-lows : Take Lime hot out of the Kiln (itmust be the hard Stone-lime) pour Water