In
several of our English villages it is customary to get some of the
grease (bell-comb) which gathers round the bronze " brasses," whereon
the " gudgeons" of the Church bells work ; such grease being reckoned
curative of ringworm. This expected result is not unlikely, by reason
of the fatty salts of Copper and Tin, contained in the said grease, and
which are eminently destructive of such bacterial toxins as cause the
complaint. " Cart-gum," from the axles of farm wagons, is likewise of
rural use for remedial purposes, particularly to make whiskers grow;
which hirsute purpose it is likely to advance as being intermixed, this
time, with detritus of iron, always tonic.
Native
Verdigris—(Chrysocolla)—was found by the ancients in Copper mines, as
of a bright green colour. Nero, of old Rome, being patron of the Green
Faction, in one of his fits of extravagance, caused the Circus to be
strewed with powder of the said valuable mineral, instead of with
ordinary sand. This was on a day when he figured there as a character
clad in a livery of the same brilliant green dye.
"
The common Brass," wrote Lemery, 1712, " which the workmen call '
metal,' is an alloy of Copper with Leton, or with Tin ; they make
divers sorts, which differ only according to the quantity of Tin that
is mix't with the Copper ; the mixture is from twelve pounds to
five-and-twenty pounds, in the hundred weight of Copper." " They use
Brass for clocks, mortars, and several other works ; the best is that
which gives the clearest sound when you strike it."
"
Though I speak," wrote St. Paul to the Corinthians, •' with the tongues
of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding
Brass, or a tinkling
