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440 METALS—THE NOBLER.
cymbal." After the same fashion, though told in secular terms, Charles Dickens (in Barnaby Rudge) has
skilfully taught a useful lesson, of which the text is taken from the
book of metals. His Mr. Chester, a sanctimonious humbug, of leading
social position, propounds to Mrs. Varden (whom he wishes to impress as
being a meek, righteous, thorough-going Christian, whilst having a base
underhand design in view) " certain virtuous maxims, somewhat vague,
and general in their nature, doubtless, and partaking of the character
of truisms, worn a little out at elbow, but delivered in so charming a
voice, and with such uncommon serenity and peace of mind, that they
answered as well as the best. Nor is this to be wondered at; for, as
hollow vessels produce a far more musical sound in falling than those
which are substantial, so it will often be found that sentiments which
have nothing in them, make the loudest ringing in the world, and are
the most relished."
Food
cooked in a Brass utensil was known long since to be as hurtful as any
viand cooked in an vmtinned Copper vessel. Amongst other proofs of this
fact may be adduced a few verses from the pathetic old ballad " The Croodlin' Doo (as already quoted in our Meals Medicinal) :—
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