Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-09-07
q. NI my OonpoFo.;no
j. HOLDERBY, '' TO-

AssAYING. To satisfy general curiosity as to the
process of assaying we will give in detail the method
practiced in this country far as it relates to
coinage. Science hasso far perfected this method
to bring to comparative uniformity the modes prac-
tced in different countries-thc main difference be-
ing only in the quantity of metal used for these tr
ais. AS the reduced value of bullion is exactly pro-
portionate to the degree of admixture with baser
metals, numerous methods had previously to the
one now in use) been devised for ascertainng such
admxture; but the uncertainty, tediousness and
pense attending these have found happy alternative
and succedaneum in the art of assayng prac-
tsed, which unites the Indispensable requisites of
precision, dispatch, and cheapness.
In any certain weight of the subject of trial the
question before the assayer is How much fine gold,
fine silver, or of both, does it contain To as
certain this fact he weighs small portion with suit
able exactness, submits it to the usual process of
separating the alloy, reweghs it when the operation
Is completed, and makes his report accordingly. The
operation is performed in the assay furnace; which
contains kind of earthen oven or muff1e, within
which placed several small vessels made of bone
ashes, known by the name of coppels or little cups
which, when sufficiently heated by the charcoal fire.
with which the furnace is filled, and which encloses
the mue all sides, receive each one assay, wrap
ped in proper quantity of thin lead. These melt
ing Immediately together, the lead becomes gradually
and in part converted to glass.
Serving as menstruum in the vltrlt1catlon OF the
other base metals aso these sink together into the
porous substance of the coppe leaving the precious
metals the surface thoroughly refined, which nm
ishes the process of silver assay. Ii gold is the
subject of trial. the assay piece is beat thin made
soft in the fire. and, when rolled lightly together IS
put into glass vessel containing aquaforts Prev
ously heated over gentle fire. in which the sllverls
generally dissolved and the gold left in state ofPu
rty retaining the form it possessed previous to the
solution of silver To the perfection OF this
process the proportion of silver to gold in the assay
piece should be as or to l, which addition, when
necessary is made before the gold assay is put on
the coppe.
When a mixture of gold and silver is the subject
of trial. and the quantity of the latter exceeds that
of the former it is called siIrer parting, and if con-
trawise, gold parting. With the former the assayer
proceeds in all respects he would with silver as
saw making his report all the fine metal he finds;
but in gold parting, he weighs two assay pieces OF
equal weight one of which he treats exactly as sill
yer assay and the other gold assay. When this
is done, by weighing the two assay pieces against
each other the excess in the former, which still
tans the silver becomes the report of fine silver in
the pound.
When the subject of trial contains more than
moiety of alloy, it is denomnated for gold and sat-
ger, and the absolute quantity of each is reported
The larger the quantity ofmeta used in these trials
the less will any casual in the process bear to
the whole mass; otherwise the quantity quite in
difercnt for whatever the assayer takes fer his unit
or greatest weight he divides proportionaby tofeal
Troy weights. Union.
Harry Hill, = well known cotton merchant, and
liberal hearted Methodist is about building Meth
odist tabernacle in New Orleans in an eligible posi-
ton, at cost of $3.50, 600. 1t is to be capable of
seating 5000 persons, and occupied for preaching
alone. He to deed it to the Bishops plac-
ing it under their control and that of the General
Conference Once in four years programme is to
be made out Setting forth the appointments to this
grand this plan the greatest men of each
Conference are to be detailed for one two or three