itated" in soft downy flakes, like falling snow, leaving the nitrate of soda separate. The nitrate of soda is soluble in water, while the chloride of silver is insoluble. When the new combination is complete, the contents of the tank are drawn off into large wooden filters; a stream of hot water is poured in; the soluble nitrate of soda, which also contains all the base metals of the melt, is held to be of no value; it passes off into the sewer and is lost, leaving the insoluble chloride of silver behind in the filter. This, when "sweetened" or washed free from nitric acid, resembles thick white paint, except that the surface, which is exposed to the light, is of a delicate purple. A similar action of light upon the silver-coating of a copper-plate is the basis of the daguerreotype process. About 4000 bushels of salt are used up every year in this process. When thoroughly "sweet," the chloride of silver is transferred from the filter to large leaden vats, in which has been placed a quantity of granulated zinc. Water is added, and another chemical action takes place. The chlorine, having a stronger affinity for zinc than for silver, leaves it, and unites with the zinc, forming chloride of zinc. This being soluble in water, is washed away, not being worth preserving. A little sulphuric acid has been meantime added to destroy any surplus of zinc. The silver, thus successively freed by purely chemical processes from nitric acid and chlorine, is in the form of a dull grayish powder, looking very like a heap of ashes. It is nevertheless almost pure silver, much finer than coin. This powder is "cheesed" by the hydraulic press, like the gold powder, and is deposited in the Melter's safe, to be melted up into bars, or used again for refining gold. We have described only the processes of assaying and refining gold. Silver bullion does not, like gold, require to be refined; but after being assayed is sent to the Mint to be coined. unless it is required to be used for refining gold. The process of assay applied to silver is known among chemists as the humid assay. It is 2 very delicate operation, based upon the principle that a definite weight of a solution of salt, of known strength, added to a definite weight of silver dissolved in nitric acid, will precipitate a definite weight of chloride of silver. Before leaving the Assay Office we must descend to the basement, and visit the "Sweep Room"-a dirty and disagreeable apartment, but a very important one, nevertheless. Here all the rubbish of the establishmentsweepings of rooms, ashes from the furnace, old crucibles, brooms, brushes, clothes, mittens, and so forth are treated to extract the gold contained in them. These are first burned to ashes, then reduced to an almost impalpable powder in the "Grinding Mill," under heavy iron rollers weighing 2000 lbs. This powder is then placed in the "Gold Separator"-a machine invented by Mr. Kent, the Melter and Refiner. The dirt is put into the cireular vessel A, where the powder is ground still finer, by heavy iron rollers working under water, which is supplied in a continuous stream. The motion of the rollers keeps the mass in perpetual agi weighs about 104 ounces, and is worth a trifle less than $210; a cubic foot weighs about 1454 pounds, and is worth $362,600. A hundred millions in fine bars will measure about 273 tation. The coarser particles of gold sink to the bottom; while the dirt, still containing some gold, being lighter, passes off with the water, through the pipe B into the basin C. At the bottom of this basin is a quantity of quick-cubic feet, say two and one-seventh cords. If silver. The surface of this is kept bright and clean by a couple of paddle-wheels, which just touch it, and also keep the water in motion. Any particle of gold touching the quicksilver is instantly seized, while the water and dirt pass out at the top, through the waste-pipe D. For the right to use this Separator in all the United States Mints Mr. Kent received, by vote of Congress, $20,000; but as the gold saved by it, beyond what was recovered by the old process, amounts to $20,000 a year, the arrangement is a profitable one. In the processes of melting, assaying, and refining, there is of course some waste, for which the Government makes allowance; but declares that it must not exceed two parts in a thousand of the amount operated upon. That is, unless the loss exceeds this proportion, the Melter and Refiner is deemed to have returned all that he received. The actual loss has always been considerably less. It is now reduced, by careful economy, to one-thirteenth part of the legal allowance, saving to Government in five years, up to December, 1859, $191,151 55. We have said that the amount of bullion which will pass through the Assay Office during the present year is estimated at one hundred millions of dollars. Let us try to give some general idea of the weight and bulk of the gold required to make up this sum. A cubic inch of fine gold cast into a solid cube, each side would measure about six and a half feet. Our coinage is of "standard gold," the ten-dollar piece weighing 258 grains. A million dollars in coin weighs nearly 4479 pounds Troy, equivalent to about 3685 pounds avoirdupois, or more than one and three-quarter tons. A keg 13 inches high, 10 inches at the heads, and 11 at the bilge, will hold about $50,000 in gold coin. Two thousand such kegs would be required for $100,000,000. Gold in grains occupies about twice the space that it does when cast into bars. It is said that in California gold dust was for a while sold by the pint, this measure holding 142 ounces, worth $2500. A hundred millions in California dust would measure 40,000 pints, or 625 bushels. After all, the coin which any depositor would be likely to carry with him makes no very great bulk. Into a box measuring on the inside 10 inches long, 8 wide, and 5 high, $36,000 in gold coin can be packed. A bag 6 inches by 9 will hold $5000, leaving room to tie. Silver coin occupies a little more than twenty-five times the bulk of gold coin of the same value. We have now followed the bullion from the time of its reception in the Weigh-Room until it has been converted into "fine bars." Next month we propose to follow some of these bars to the Mint in Philadelphia, and see them converted into coin of the United States. As thus proclaimed the herald loud A doleful clamor raised the crowd By hearth-stone and on highway. But when the case small hope admits, The subtlest toils will sever: A wife in wit and virtue rich, The townsfolk much elated: At midnight a fair embassy Forth issued from the city; The women should be free to go, Their choicest treasures bearing; But lo! when bright the morning beamed, Forth from the nearest gate-way, Then many a sycophant averred He pardoned all, both great and small, And trod a stately measure: Pray tell me now where Weinsberg lies? With store of maids and matrons wise, And pious, leal, and witty: And if I'm doomed to nuptial vows, ABOUT THE FOX AND FOX-HUNTERS. Ian animal of great merit only, but indeed as a representative of intellectual character. It is but just to say, however, that the fox is but a fair representative of the superior abilities of all animals in their spheres. We know Reynard better than the others, simply because circumstances have brought him more frequently in contact with the human species; for by the chase he has for generations brought his "natural smartness" to bear against the united resources of the dog, of the horse, of man; and in the contest the fox has always displayed abilities that have made it difficult to decide unqualifiedly that he is not entitled to an equal share of honors, in what at first sight would appear to be a most unequal contest. He is the inhabitant of all the northern and temperate regions of the globe, and though varying in color and size, every where maintains his marked peculiarities of character. His forehead is high and broad; his eyes are so set that he has a wide range of vision; his snout is sharp; S cunning as a fox," is one of the oldest his ears erect and pointed; his body is liberally said that there are over one thousand classic fables in which the fox is the prominent character. It is therefore evident that the creature must possess some superior qualifications to thus impress himself upon the popular mind, not as able for its brush-like appearance. His natural age is twelve years, but as foxes are Ishmaelites by nature and practice, they seldom reach their allotted span of life. Reynard comes not only from an intelligent family, but also of a race blessed with tough muscles, an exquisite scent, and a heroic spirit under misfortunes. He is unlike the dog in being full of dissimulation and treachery, and has no courage to compare with the wolf. The dog and wolf will associate as friends, but the wolf and dog are sworn enemies of the fox. The gait of the fox is treacherous, and his glance is always sinister, glaring, or stealthy. By deception patiently practiced, he accomplishes his greatest triumphs. He will willingly lie all day concealed among the grass in the vicinity of a pond, waving for long hours the bushy end of his tail, thereby enticing geese and ducks, the over-curious inhabitants of its surface, within his reach. He will seize a bunch of moss between his teeth, launch himself into the stream, and, unsuspected, float among his feathered victims, thus securing his prey. If the ruse is necessary for success, he will affect to be dead, and the hound's sharp teeth, or powder flashed under his sensitive nose, have failed to call forth any evidences of life. As a general rule the fox commits his depredations in the night; and if he is fortunate in killing more food than he immediately requires, he hides the surplus in the ground for future use. He is the enemy of the poultry-yard, and all favorite game. He preys voraciously upon all animals weaker than himself, and has been known to tear down young calves and lambs. When hard pressed he will subsist on serpents, toads, moles, and rats, playing with them before killing as would a cat. If living on the seacoast, he becomes very fond of oysters, crabs, and other shell-fish. Though not a great consumer of grapes, he seems to delight to destroy them, seemingly from wanton mischief. Solomon alludes to "the little foxes that destroy the vines." He is a great observer of localities, and soon becomes familiar with every pathway, rock, tree, or fence, and with the inhabitants of his vicinity. Foxes are exceedingly tender of their young, both parents laboring industriously for their support. If suddenly surprised by dogs, the old ones will conceal their cubs, and by boldly breaking cover, lead their enemies away from their den. The anxious mother has often been seen running before the hounds with a cub in her mouth. As the young increase in size they are taken by the old ones out on predatory excursions; taught to leap, to "double," and to practice the approved methods of stealing. young fox is not, however, always grateful; for when foxes' holes have been stopped, the parents have been known to fall victims to the appetites of the ravenous brood. The The burrow of the fox is not only remarkable for its happily selected location but also for the great skill shown in its construction. Buffon was so struck by this fact, that he proposed to place the fox among the higher order of quadrupeds. The remarkable saying, "The foxes have holes and the birds have nests," would seem to be an inspired recognition of the comfort and security of the fox's den. From the natural sagacity of the fox, the strong scent it leaves when hunted, its speed and apparently natural association with the precincts of the farm-yard, its capture by the aid of horses and dogs affords one of the most exciting sports indulged in by man. There seems to be no element of healthful recreation wanting. The time, if favorable, is in the pleasantest season of the year; the scene over hill and dale, and your companions dashing gentlemen. We have been no idle participants in the wild sports of the woods and fields. We have rightfully claimed a share of spoils of all sorts of legitimate game, great and small, and we remember vividly all the pleasant incidents connected therewith; but |