Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1878 — Something About Tin. [ARTICLE]

Something About Tin.

Tin is a short word, but replete with meaning. If a poor fellow’s pockets are empty (and there are thousands of impoverished bankrupts just now) ho is said to be “out of tin.” If Mr. and Mrs. Smith celebrate their tenth wedding annivrsary, it is called a tin wedding. Then, wfiat a gathering of friends each with a present of tinware, somo of them very odd and useless, but mostly articles of utility; so that the Smith family find tnemselves in possession of tinware enough to last them through life, and they may well be proud and happy. Tinware is a hie institution.- There are in Chicago no less than twenty large tinware factories, supplying the whole West with kitchen ware—one of them even exports certain lines of tin goods to Europe, from whence the tin comes —and giving occupation to many hundreds of hands. But it is all a mistake; the ware called “tin” is only a wash of tin over sheet iron. As well might we speak of plated ware as being silver. Wo learned something novel recently about tin while looking in at a metal store on Lake street and listening to the courteous salesman. We learned that, while our extensive country produces nearly all metals, from gold to lead, there has never yet been discovered a tin mine. Should one be found, “may we be there to see,” and take a few shares in it. Tin is used for various purposes other than for “ Britannia ware.” The fine black cloths we get from France are colored by asolution of tin. The most heautiful red colors in carpets ate made by a chemical process which requires pure tin in the composition. The best and most reliable tin is imported from the Dutch East India Island of Banca. It is taken from Banca to Rotterdam, and there sold, by auction, at semi-annual sales; and from there finds its way to all parts of the civilized world. Next in quality is Malacca or Straits *> tin, so named because it reaches us through the Straits of Malacca. A small quantity comes from China, but the Celestials have so many ways of cheating that their tin is very unpopular. Our English neighbors send us great quantities of their Cornwall tin, and they pronounce it superior to all other; but while it is pure, it is not so soft as Banca, and Brother Johnathan prefers the latter,. From South America we receive small supplies; but its quality is inferior and very drossy. Our imports of tin and tin plates during the last fiscal year amounted to $12,112,532, while in 1873 they were $18,356,653. —Chicago Commercial Advertiser.