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What time I could redeem from other neceffary, business for several years paft, has been employed in fuch difquifitions and experiments, as might tend to facilitate the art of making fteel, and others near akin to it.

Those writers upon the fubject which I have met with tell us, that the principal difference between iron and steel confifts in this, That the latter is combined with a greater quantity of phlogifton than the former. Phlogifton exifts in all inflammable fubftances, and in fome that are not inflammable. Charcoal, and the coals of bones, horns and hoofs of animals, have been used as fit fubftances for communicating phlogiston to iron in making steel.

-Steel is fometimes made by fufion of ore or pig-iron. The method is fimilar to that of reducing pig-iron to malleable iron, with this difference, that as steel requires more phlogifton than is neceffary to iron, all the means must be made ufe of that are capable of introducing into the iron a great deal of phlogifton; that is, by keeping it, while in fufion, encompaffed with an abundance of charcoal, &c.

The other method of making fteel is by cementation, as it is called; that is, to convert bar-iron into steel; which is done by a cement made of thofe fubftances which contain the greateft quantity of phlogiston. Put the bar-iron with this cement into a veffel that will bear a strong fire; lute on a close cover, fo as to prevent the cement taking flame and confuming; put the veffel in a furnace where the bars may be kept red-hot till they are converted into steel, which will be in a longer or shorter time, according to the bigness of the bars, and the quantity of cement.

This latter method has chiefly engaged my attention, which method is pretty well known in fome parts of America, and for many years paft,

fteel has been made by it in feveral of the United States. Yet, fo far as I have been informed, it has generally been of an inferior quality, and very little ufed for edge tools, which I fuppofed could not arife from the quality of the iron, for we have the greatest variety, and the best fort, in many parts of the country. I then conjectured there might be found fome other inflammable fubftance for a cement, which, if properly applied, would impregnate the iron with phlogifton more advantageoufly.And after many experiments, I found a particular marine plant that requires no other preparation but drying and pulverizing, and is commonly known by the name of rock-weed, or rock-ware, and is in the greatest plenty on our rocky fhores, coves, creeks and harbours of the fea. In making fome experiments upon this plant for a flux powder, a fmall bit of iron was put into a crucible, and filled with the faid cement; and, very unexpectedly, after it had been in a little more than a cherry heat for five or fix hours, it was converted into fteel, which gave me the first hint of its ufe in making fteel; fince which I have had repeated experience of its excellency for the fame purpofe.

It needs no other preparation than to be cut off from the rocks with a feythe or fickle, fpread on the dry land till the rains have washed off the greater part of the fea-falt, then dried and pulverized, then used as other cements are in making fteel: or, inflead of washing off the fea-falt, it is better for fome particular kinds of iron, to neutralize it by adding a fixed alkali.

To two parts of the plant well dried and pulverized, add one part of good wood-afhes; mix together and moiften the whole with water or rather urine to the confiftence of a very thick pafte.

It is well known that in every new art,

art, and in perfecting old ones, many unforeseen difficulties arife, and fometimes confiderable fortunes have been fpent before the manufacturer or the public have been much benefited. And fince honeft, but too credulous minds are often deceived by uncertain proof, and being willing to fatisfy myself and others, by a better teftimony than my own, I engaged gentleman of ability in the steel way for many years, whofe farnace was complete and large, to make experiments upon my new difcovered fubftance for a cement, who has written me, that "this fteel is preferable to any he had ever made before." After all, I fuppofe different modes of preparation and further experiments will more fully ascertain its utility.

a

The matter of the furnace muft be of fuch fubftances as will endure a ftrong fire without fufion. Afbeftos has been used to advantage, but a fufficiency of it is not found in many places. Pipe-clay with one third part of pond-fand, or, which is better, white ftones free from grit, well burnt, and pulverized, inftead of fand, fome fpecies of flate and tale may be used with pipe-clay for furnaces and crucibles.

The cheft, or interior part of the *Col. Eliot,

furnace, for depofiting the cement and bars of iron, must be covered fo clofe that the inflammable substance within may not be confumed, but changed like wood in a coal-kiln. The iron to be chofen of the best quality; its toughness and malleability are marks of choice.

Of the ore of iron.-This is often difcovered by the magnet, but a great part of the beft ore is that which the magnet will not attract, as Linnæus and Macquer juftly obferve. When in that ftate it often refembles the ruft or calx of iron. Many tuns of which are brought to the iron-works in this neighbourhood, from which the beft of iron is made. In its natural state the best magnetic bar will not attract the fmalleft particle; but when roafted with charcoal it becomes magnetic. This method of knowing whether any earth or ftones contain the true ore of iron, may be of ufe to discover new bodies or beds of ore. The reduction of metals, or reftoring them to their metalic ftate from their calces, by combining them with the inflammable principle in the application of charcoal, may fufficiently fhow the efficacy of the above method for the difcovery of the earth of iron in those substances on which the magnet has no effect. of Connecticut.

For the NEW-YORK MAGAZINE.

ANTICIPATION.

Extra& from Naponafcon's celebrated hiftory of the rife, declenfion, and renovation, of the empire of the west. Published in two folio volumes, with fplendid engravings, at Qutagamis, in 1885.

IN

The BATTLE N the autumn of the year 1791, the pale men, to the number of five thousand, headed by one of their moft experienced chiefs, with feven pieces of brafs cannon, and every other implement of war in ufe at that time, began a march into our Country along the banks of the leffer Miami.

of MIAM I.

Their avowed purpose was to erect fortreffes every twenty or thirty miles

deftroy our villages at the fources of the two Miami's-and, by keeping poffeffion of that fertile territory, deprive the red men of their principal means of fubfiftence.

The confederated warriors, whofe numbers did not exceed twelve hun

dred,

ce, for depofiting the cement Dars of iron, must be covered fo that the inflammable substance in may not be confumed, but ged like wood in a coal-kiln. iron to be chosen of the best ty; its toughness and malleabire marks of choice.

the ore of iron.—This is often vered by the magnet, but a great of the beft ore is that which the et will not attract, as Linnæus lacquer juftly obferve. When at ftate it often refembles the r calx of iron. Many tuns of are brought to the iron-works neighbourhood, from which ft of iron is made. In its naate the best magnetic bar will ract the fmalleft particle; but roafted with charcoal it be

magnetic. This method of ng whether any earth or ftones the true ore of iron, may be o difcover new bodies or beds The reduction of metals, or g them to their metalic ftate eir calces, by combining them inflammable principle in the ion of charcoal, may fuffihow the efficacy of the above For the difcovery of the earth n thofe fubftances on which het has no effect.

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i

rowed purpofe was to erect very twenty or thirty miles our villages at the fources Miami's and, by keepon of that fertile territory, red men of their princiof fubfiftence.

federated warriors, whofe d not exceed twelve hun

dred,

dred, were commanded by Montolili, grandfon of the veteran Pondiac, whose wisdom and prowess would have done honour even to the present enlightened age. This wary chieftain with difficulty checked the ardor of his heroic followers, till the enemy had advanced within fifteen miles of the Maumee towns, when it became impoffible to restrain it any longer. In vain was it remonstrated that the enemy were encamped on advantageous ground, with a river in front, and other defences on the right and left wings: that they were well apprized of the neighbourhood of our warriors, and actually stood arrayed in expectation of an attack. The fhout of war, terrible as thunder, and pregnant with death, drowned the whispers of ill-timed caution, and deftruction rushed on the foe from every quarter.

Numbers fell by the well-aimed fire of the rifles, but many, many more, by that caterer for the grave, the tomahawk. The impetuofity of

the red men, like a whirlwind, bore down oppofition wherever it was directed.

The flaughter (for it could hardly be called a battle) lafted two hours; when the trembling remains of the vanquished army faved themselves by a flight, to which dreadful apprehenfion gave unusual precipitancy. Half a hundred leaders, and upwards of a thousand warriors of the foe, lay dead upon the plain; while the cries of a wounded multitude arofe grateful in the ears of Arefkoui.

All the artillery-all the ftoresand in short, every appendage of this well appointed army, fell into the conquerors hands: and that every man was not destroyed, was entirely owing to the unwillingness our warriors manifefted to butcher an unrefifting enemy.

Thus terminated a conflict, not lefs honourable to the invincible lords of the foil, than difgraceful and humiliating to the palid defpoilers of this beautiful garden of nature.

To the EDITORS of the NEW-YORK MAGAZINE, GENTLEMEN,

R.

If you think proper to print the fmall original Mathematic Problem underwritten, you have the licence of the author. Your humble fervant,

T%

J. T. O find that place upon the globe, which bears from New-York 63 degrees 385 minutes from the fouth, the difference of longitude exceeding the difference of latitude 983 degrees, and the length of the enlarged part of the rumb, in the mercatorial projection, being exactly 17.648 degrees.

SOLUTION.

Lets and c denote the natural fine and cofine of Y; angle Y; and put d for 983=CD—BY, e for 17.648 AD, (per quef.) and I for CD.

B

Then c: (BY) /—d ::1:AY=4, and DY=AY+AD=!

1-d

D

+e. Alfo c d-ce

l-d

/:::DY====+e: This equation reduced gives /====

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180 degrees, (when refolved in numbers) the difference of longitude. Hence 180-983-81BY, the difference of latitude; from which take the latitude of Y=403 N. and the remainder is the latitude of A=403 S. Therefore A is the antipode to New-York.

Introductory

Introductory Chapter of a Treatife on SOLITUDE, confidered with respect to its influence on the mind and heart. By M. ZIMMERMANN.

I

N this unquiet and tumultuous fcene of life, furrounded by the restraints of ceremony, the urgencies of business, the fhackles of fociety, and in the evening of my days, I feel no delight in tracing back the images of pleasures that pafs fo tranfiently away my foul dwells with higher fatisfaction on the memory of those happy days of my youth, when SoLITUDE was my fole amufement; when I knew no place more agreeable than the fequeftered cloister and the filent cell, the lonely mountain and the fublimely awful grove; nor any pleasures more lively than thofe I experienced in converfing with the dead.

I love to recall to my mind the cool and filent fcenes of Solitude; to oppose them to the heat and bustle of the world; to meditate on those advantages which the great and good of every age have acknowledged they poffefs, though perhaps too feldom experienced; to reflect on the powerful confolations they afford when grief corrodes the mind, when difeafe afflicts the body, when the number of our years bends us to the ground; to contemplate, in fhort, the benign influence of Solitude upon all the troubles of the heart.

Solitude is that ftate in which the foul freely refigns itself to its own reflections. The fage, therefore, who banishes from his mind all recollection of the objects by which he is furrounded, and retires within himfelf, is not lefs folitary than he who forfakes fociety and devotes himself entirely to the calm enjoyments of a lonely life.

In retirement every man furrenders himself, without reftraint or limitation, to the guidance of his own ideas, and implicitly adopts the fentiments which his tafte, temper, inclination, and genius, infpire.

Obferve the fhepherds of thofe extenfive deferts: one chaunts the beauty which captivates his foul; another moulds the clay into a rustic vase; the furrounding charms of nature form the fole delight and admiration of a third; while a fourth investigates the precepts of the moral law, or contemplates the fublime truths of our holy religion. If they were refpectively to meet a lovely fhepherdess beneath the fhades of their retirement, feated on the borders of fome gently flowing ftream, the heart of each might perhaps become the flave of love; but deprived of all that is dear to man, and doomed to tafte involuntary Solitude, the best resource for each is to refign himself to the dictates of his inclination: a resource to which every well-difpofed and virtuous mind may conftantly refort without difmay or danger.

Man, in a state of perfect freedom, poffeffes an innate right to follow the fuggeftions of his fancy: fome are delighted by the foft melody of the nightingale, while others liften with equal pleasure to the hideous fhriekings of the owl. Some there are to whom even the vifits of friendship are difpleafing; who, to avoid the painful intercourfe, confine themfelves eternally at home, and confume their hours in writing books, or killing flies.

The poor dejected heart constantly attaches itself to fome favourite object, as far at least as circumstances and fituation will permit, from which it draws its confolation and fupport. Roaming through the cloisters of the Magdalene Convent at Hidelsheim, I was surprised to obferve an aviary of Canary birds in the cell of a Religieufe.

A Brabançon gentleman, fearful of the effects of cold, and having the fame averfion from wo

men

The Influence of Solitude on the Mind and Heart. 25

men that certain perfons are faid to feel from mice, lived five and twenty years at Bruffels immured within his houfe, without any other amusement than that of collecting a magnificent cabinet of paintings and pictures.

Under the confinement even of the dungeon itself, men, deprived for ever of their liberty, endeavour to beguile the Solitude in which they are forced to live, by devoting their thoughts, as far as they are able, to thofe pursuits which afford them the highest pleasure. The Swifs philofopher Michael Ducret measured the heights of the Alps during his confinement in the prison of Aarburg, in the canton of Berne in Swifferland; and while Baron de Trenck, a prifoner in the tower of Magdebourg, was every moment anxiously employed in forming projects to effect his escape, General Walrave, the companion of his captivity, contentedly paffed his time in the feeding of chickens.

The term Solitude does not, I conceive, always import a total abfence from the world. Sometimes it conveys to my mind the idea of dwelling in a convent, or a country village: fometimes I understand it to mean the library of a man of learning: and fometimes an occafional retreat from the tumults of active life.

Men are frequently folitary without being alone; for to conftitute a ftate of Solitude, it is fufficient if the mind be entirely abforbed by those ideas which its own reflections create.

The haughty Baron, proud of the diftinctions of birth, feels himself alone in every fociety whofe members are not ennobled by an equal number of titles derived through a long line of hereditary descents. A profound reafoner is, in general, folitary at the tables of the witty and the gay. The mind, even amidst the clamours of a popular affembly, may withdraw its attention from the furrounding obVOL. III. No. 1.

jects, may retire as effectually within
itself, may become as folitary as a
monk in his monaftery or a hermit in
his cell. In fhort, Solitude may be
as eafily attained amidst the gayest
circles of the most brilliant city, as
in the uninterrupted filence of a poor
deferted village; at London and at
Paris, as well as on the plains of
Thebais or in the defarts of Nitria.
A treatife therefore upon the real
advantages to be derived from Soli-
tude, appeared to me a proper means
to facilitate men in their fearch after
happiness. The fewer external re-
fources men poffefs, the greater ef-
forts they make to difcover in them-
felves the power of being happy;
and the more they are enabled to
part, without regret, from their con-
nections with each other, the nearer
they must certainly approach to true
felicity. The pleasures of the world
appear to me unworthy of the avidity
with which they are pursued; but it
is equally true, that, upon a ferious
examination, all thofe Catholic no-
tions, once fo celebrated, of a total
feclufion from the world and its con-
cerns, appear altogether impractica-
ble, and equally abfurd. To render
the mind independent of human as-
fiftances, and teach it to rely entirely
upon the strength of its own powers,
is, I acknowledge, a noble exertion;
but it is certainly as meritorious to
learn the art of living happily in the
bofom of fociety, and of rendering
ourselves ufeful and agreeable to the
reft of mankind.

While, therefore, I defcribe the
allurements of Solitude, I fhall en-
deavour to warn my readers against
thofe dangerous exceffes into which
fome of its difciples have been betray-
ed; exceffes as repugnant to the
voice of reafon, as they are con-
demned by the precepts of our holy
religion.

Happily to avoid all the dangers by which my fubject is furrounded, D

to

T

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