AN INQUIRY,

ETC.

INTRODUCTION.

In the early stages of society so many andsuch great difficulties were opposed to the use ofall metallic substances, that the discovery andapplication of them to the purposes of social lifemust have been slow and gradual.

The most ancient records of our race, theSacred Writings, as well as the works of the ear-liest profane authors, have, however, communi-cated such intimations of the knowledge andadaptation of the more precious metals to theuse of mankind, as tend to excite curiosity andto attract attention to the subject.

The general voice of antiquity affirms, thatgold, silver, and copper, or brass (aes), were thefirst metals discovered; and that they were usedpartly as ornaments, and partly as instrumentsof war or of industry; for though, from theirsoftness, they were not the best calculated forvoi,. I.

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