Large bells and statues are cast in the way first described. Brass ordnance is always cast solid. The model is made round a nucleus of wood called a spindle, and the mould of loam and sand made over it. When this is perfectly dry, the model and spindle within are removed, and the mould is well dried or baked. When ready for casting, it is placed upright in the pit, and the metal is allowed to run into it till filled. What is called a dead head is left at the upper and smaller or mouth end of the gun, which presses the metal down, and prevents its becoming porous as it settles and cools. After a few days the mould is knocked off, and the gun is ready for finish ing. The dead head is turned off, and the boring, which is an operation requiring great care is effected. [Bomago.] After the founding, the metal cast is often finished by chasing, burnishing, lacquering, plating, or gilding.
One of the largest cylinders, cast and bored in iron, is that employed at the Mostyn col liery in Flintshire. It was made at the Haigh Fonndry at Wigan in 1848. It is 17 feet long, by B feet 4 inches in diameter ; it weighs 22 tons ; and the quantity of metal brought to a liquid state for the purpose of casting was 30 tons.
A silver statue was cast at Paris in 1850. In the preceding year M. Pradier exhibited at the Luxembourg a bronze statue of Sappho, which was much admired for its beauty; and a silver copy of this statue was prepared in 1850, as a prize for a sort of Art Union lot tery. The founding was entrusted to M.
Simonet, who has produced many beautiful specimens in this department of Art. The weight of silver used was about four thousand ounces.
The largest east statue of recent times is the allegorical figure of Bavaria, placed in front of the Illihmeshalle on the Theresien meadow near Munich. The figure is G3 feet high, and stands on a granite base 30 feet high ; so that the wreath held in the uplifted hand of the figure is nearly 100 feet from the ground. A winding staircase leads entirely up the interior of the statue. It is said that no fewer than 20 musicians were placed within the head of the statue, on the occasion of the inauguration. The length of the fore finger, 38 inches, will give an idea of the size of the statue. The statue was modelled by the great sculptor Schwan th aler, who hastened his death by his intense application to it. The founding or casting was entrusted to Stigl mayer ; but as he also died, the work was car-1 ried out to a successful completion by his 1 pupil Ferdinand Miller. The statue was east in many pieces, one of which required 380 cwt. of molten bronze !