The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-12-22
sIANIEsE sECRFr DIsCovEREp.


out in connection with them.
SIANIESE SECRET DISCOVERED.
The Siamese are probably among
the most expert casters OF bronze I'm
the world. Moreover. they have long
been IN possession OF a secret formula
FOR It's composition. The art was in
troduced into Siam In the eleventh
century by the Chinese. who we're at
that period in possession OF much in
formation that their descendants have
apparently forgotten.
Bronze had been known I'm Indo-
China since the earliest times. which
fact is attested by the fincmg or
bronze hatchcts and arrowhesds in
limestone caves and other places Of
deposit OF prehistoric remains. An
Client bronze figures OF Indian divini-
ties and OF Buddha have also been
discovered.
The composition OF this bronze.
which the natives denomiuated the
perfect or auspicious alloy. long re-
manned a mystery. Some years ago.
however. tho formula was discovered
by Major Gerini in an old siamcse
manuscript belonging 70 tho late king.
The translation. with remarks by the
major. has been sent TO this country
by Vice Consul General Carl G. Han
sen. stationed at Bankok.
Take twelve ticals Zone teal equal
TO- oue-half ounce avoirdupois) weight
OF pure tin. melt It at a slow fire.
avoiding bringing It TO red heat Pour
two ticals' weight OF quicksilver. stir
until the latter has become thorough
ly absorbed and amalgamated: then
cast the mixture in a mold. forming it
into bar. Take one catty I'm weight
eighty ticalsD OF refined copper and
melt &c. Then gradually incorporate
with It the amalgam, keeping In the
meantime the fused mass well stirred.
When this has been done. throw
into the crucible a sufficient quantity
Of ashes obtained from the stems OF
the bua-bok terrestrial lotus) creep
or. so as 60 cover the molten metal.
Remove the dross with an iron ladle;
the metal remaining IS samrit bronze
According TO this recipe the proper
ton OF the Ingredients employed IN
the manufacture Of the alloy I'm ques-
ton thus proves to be: SSH copper.
lars tin and 213 quicksilver. A late
qualitative analysis shows that this
alloy also contains traces OF gold. sill
yer and iron.
Whether the composition IS better
than that used in civilized countries
We do not know. r. is probable. how
ever. that 70 is superior. for figures Of
Ruddha are found I'm tho north OF
Siam fin great numbers on the sites Of
ancient temples which have been
|crumblinE FOR centuries. leaving the
majestic bronze figures intact. In any
event. tho formula IS certain 20 be
tried by some euterprising American.
The Siamcse stlu cast bronze
Buddhas. aud the art forms one OF the
principal home Industries. The meth
% followed ls TO mold a figure I'm clay
and cast it with wax. and then apply
a coating or clay; the wax is melted
BY the application or heat and the
molten metal poured in. when cold.
the mold IS broken and tho figure
cleaned and polished In the temples
/ OF Baukok. according to the consul.
may be seen many fine specimens OF
modern statues. which compare IA
vorably with similar ones in other
countries.
Very little escapes the observation
/ OF tho American consuls and CONNER
cial agents these days II there IS a
/ chance for improving the trade OF this
country IN any corner Of the world
the necessary information IS promptly
sent 20 the bureau OF manufactures az
Washington. bulletins being pub
IIshed for tho benefit OF citizens OF
the United States who would be likely
90 profit.
/ Considerable information is also
disseminated through the same chan
nels which possesses more OF less his
toric value. to say nothing u the
chance offered 20 turn an honest
penny BY making use OF the odds and
ends Of knowledge supplied.
Perhaps IN the course OF time some
American stationed abroad may dis
cover how the ancients mixed the &C.
ment and the method employed IN
welding copper.