knowledge of the mechanical and manipulative details belonging to it. To assist his object, numerous illustrations have been prepared for this Treatise, with the view of rendering the various processes of the art more readily comprehensible, and to save a lengthened or detailed description of them. The different modes of alloying and melting silver; its solders; the preparation of imitation alloys; methods of working; the prevention of waste; instructions for improving and finishing the surface of the work, together with other useful information and memoranda--all these have been carefully collected and placed in order in the body of the work. The Author has endeavoured, throughout, to present the contents (which he has with some little difficulty and labour brought together) in as practical and readable a form as is compatible with accuracy and efficiency. G. E. GEE. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. Since the publication of the first edition of this work important changes have taken place in the commercial value of silver, its present cost in the best markets being sixpence per ounce lower than it was when this volume first appeared in 1877. This depreciation in value has, of course, necessitated a thorough revision of the former prices of the various alloys, solders, and other substances mentioned throughout the work; and this has been done in order to render it the more complete as a work of general reference, conveying correct and useful information to the reader. The Author trusts that his endeavours in this direction will be appreciated. 58, Tenby St. North, Birmingham. _February, 1885_. PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. In issuing the present edition, a few introductory remarks are necessary to explain that numerous revisions have been made in Chapters VI. and VII. (by means of the Tables referred to below) regarding the cost prices of the different alloys, solders, etc., which I trust will increase the value of the book. Through the repeal of the silver duty in the year 1890, a great impetus has been given to the Silver industry of this country, and notwithstanding the length of time that has elapsed since this book was first published, a steady demand has continued for its possession by workers in the precious metal trades--a fact which is gratifying to the Author, not only because a reprint is again called for, but as showing that the work has held its position, and may now justly claim to be a standard authority on the subject of which it treats. It has not been found necessary to interfere with the general processes embodied in the book, as they are practically the same as formerly; but as regards the commercial value of silver, there is again a considerable depreciation[A] to record on the prices prepared for the second edition in 1885, and it becomes imperative that this depreciation should be dealt with in this new edition, in order to bring the work up to date. [A] _s._ _d._ In 1877 fine silver cost 5 2 per ounce. " 1885 " " 4 8 " " 1906 " " 3 0 " The market price of silver has for many years been of a very variable nature, almost each day's prices showing a difference, so that it would be impossible to provide the reader with an unvarying fixed price per ounce. The best and most practical thing to do under the circumstances, it seemed, was to carefully revise the different cost prices of the alloys and solders specified in Chapters VI. and VII. and give them by way of approximate Tables, compiled for each chapter separately. These two Tables follow...