Geo. I think it is a sort of reddish brown.
Tut. True. Sometimes, however, it is of a bright red, like sealing-wax. It is not a very heavy metal, being not quite nine times the weight of water. It is very ductile, bearing to be rolled or hammered out to a very thin plate, and also to be drawn out to a fine wire.
Har. I remember seeing a penny that had been rolled out to a long riband.
Geo. Yes, and I have seen half a dozen men at a time with great hammers beating out a piece of copper at the brazier’s.
Tut. Copper requires a very considerable heat to melt it: and by long exposure to the fire, it may be burnt or calcined; for, like all we are now to speak of, it is an imperfect metal.
Har. And it rusts very easily, does it not?
Tut. It does; for all acids dissolve or corrode it, so do salts of every kind: whence even air and common water in a short time act upon it, for they are never free from somewhat of a saline nature.
Geo. Is not verdigris the rust of copper?
Tut. It is; a rust produced by the acid of grapes. But every rust of copper is of a blue or green colour, as well as verdigris.
Har. And are they all poison, too?