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the same manner as the letter press for
printing books. To the point of this
spindle the head of the die is fastened by
a small screw, and in a little sort of a
cup directly underneath it, is placed the
reverse. Between these the piece of me-
tal already cut round, or cast to the size,
and if gold, exactly weighed, is placed;
and by once pulling down the spindle
with a jerk, is completely stamped. The
whole process is performed with amazing
dexterity; for as fast as the men who
work the engine can turn the spindle, so
fast does another twitch out with his
middle finger that which was stamped,
while with his finger and thumb he
places another that is unstamped. The
silver and gold thus stamped, are delivered
to be milled round the edges, the manner
of performing which is a secret never
shewn to any body.
The mint is managed by several offi-
cers formed into a corporation. These
are a Warden, a Master and Worker, a
Comptroller, the King's Assay Master,
the chief Engraver, the Surveyor of the
meltings, a Clerk of the irons, a Weigher
and Teller, a Provost, Melters, Blanchers,
Moneyers, &c.
The Warden receives the silver, &c.
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from the goldsmiths, pays for it, and
oversees all that belong to his office.
His salary amounts to 450l. a year for
himself and clerk. He has also another
clerk who receives 100l. a year.
The Master and Worker receives the
silver, &c. from the Warden, orders it to
be melted, delivers it to the Moniers,
and receives it back from them again.
His salary is 650l. a year for himself and
three clerks.
The Comptroller sees that the money
be made of the just assize; oversees the
officers, and controlls them, if the money
does not prove as it ought. His salary
for himself and clerk is 535l. per an-
num.
The King's Assay Master, takes care
that the bullion is according to standard.
He has a salary of 225l. a year for him-
self and clerk: and the Assistant Assay
Master has 100l. per annum.
The chief Engraver, engraves the
stamps for the money. He has a salary
of 200l. a year, and his Assistant 80l.
The Surveyor of the meltings, is to
see the bullion cast out, and that the me-
tal be not altered after the Assay Master
has made trial of it, and it is delivered to
the melter.
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