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           THE CUTLER.
  Tiix Cutler makes all those articles
denominated edge tools, but more parti-
cularly knives, forks, scissors, penknives,
razors, and swords.  The chief art in
this business consists in softening hard-
ened steel by the application of a heat not
greater than that which was employed in
hardening it.  For this purpose it is
gradually heated according to the tem-
per required, and cooled again either
gradually or rapidly, this making no dif-
ference; after which the steel is found
to be softened or tempered exactly inl
proportion to the beat which it has un-
dergone.  While the steel is tempering,
its surface displays a variety of colours,
in proportion as it becomes more and
more heated, which the workmen inge-
niously take advantage of to ascertain
the degree of temper.   The first is a
light - straw colour, which indicates the
highest or hardest temper; after this a
full yellow; then a brown, then a red-
dish blue, a light blue, and lastly a full
deep blue, passing into black; which
being the other extremity of the series,
denotes the lowest degree of temper in
this metal.