| Description | Soho April 1792.
Dear Father
The Calculations from Mr Hodges & Chamberlain were perhaps not so perfect as you might wish; but the shortness of the time would not permit to enter in to more particulars & indeed they themselves have found some difficulty in making out the Costs of their different operations. The present Calculation differs little from the former, there is only more detail in some points. Your manner of estimating the thickness of Silver, they do not perfectly understand. Mr Chamberlain always calculates by weight; viz, so many dwts of Silver to dwts of copper, now the proportional Weight of both metals differs so little that supposing your estimation to be made from the different thicknesses of the Metals say 1 thickness of Silver to 130 Copper, your best quality would be far inferior to any they plate.
The other points they have explained tolerably fully.
Your guinea & Gage I have again looked for but in vain. Miss Mynd thinks it was packed up with other Medals at your departure for London.
The two presses yet unfinished, are under hand, & might soon be completed. There is one Circumstance which should be attended to with respect to the flys. If it is your intention to strike such small money as you mention in your last, these two flys should be smaller. & in that Case we should have immediate Notice. But if possible, you should not undertake any pieces smaller than Wilkinsons or Anglesey as great part of the Machinery must be altered, nay in very small pieces the advantages of the Machines would be lost as they might be done with manual labour equally cheap. Mr Lawson has made the pieces you desired; I think as money its fabrication would be too expensive. The Men & presses will work on Monday, & in hopes of some future Success
I remain
Yr Dutiful Son
Mattw R Boulton |