several shapes, in which fashion they expose them to
sale.

"All their principal iron undergoes the aforementioned preparations,
yet for several other purposes, as for backs of chimneys, hearths of
ovens, and the like, they have a sort of cast iron which they take
out of the receivers of the furnace, so soon as it is melted, in
great ladles, and pour it into the moulds of fine sand in like manner
as they do cast brass and softer mettals; but this sort of iron is so
very brittle, that, being heated with one blow of the hammer, it
breaks all to pieces."

As an instance of the considerable extent to which the old cinders
continued to be used in the iron furnaces round the Forest, the following
abstract of an indenture, found in Mr. Wyrrall's collection, and dated
20th October, 1692, may be quoted:--

"Jephthah Wyrall, Gent., to Rd Avenant, Gent., and John Wheeler,
Gent.

"Articles for the Sale of 10 thousand dozn of cinders, in certain
grounds near Mr. Wyrall's house, called the Correggio, the Limekiln
Patch, the Long Sevens, and the Ockwal Field, if so many could be
found there. The Price, 10 Pence the dozen, or 12 Bushels; 6 to be
heaped and the other 6 even with the top of the Bushel, or
hand-weaved. Such of them as should be taken to Bishopswood or
Parkend to be measured by the Bushel used at Bishop's wood Furnace;
and such as should be carried to Blakeney Furnace by the Bushel used
there. To be raised and fitted for carriage by Avenant and Whealer.
To employ no persons in raising the cinders but such as Mr. Wyrall
approves of. Mr. Wyrall to carry yearly as many cinders as he should
please, not exceeding 250 Dozens, to Parkend, at 4s a dozen. Should
carry to the banks of the river Wye, at 13d a Dozen such as should be
used at Bishop's Wood Furnace. Avenant and Whealer to get 800 dozn a
year, and as many more as they shd please till the 10 Thousand Dozens
should be raised: and pay for them yearly on the 1st day of May, and
the 1st day of October; and should leave the ground as level and
plain as usually is where cinders are gotten (which was promising
nothing at all)."

According to a paper examined by Mr. Mushet, and referring probably to
the year 1720 or 1730, the iron-making district of the Forest of Dean
contained ten blast furnaces, viz., six in Gloucestershire, three in
Herefordshire