44 Transactions of the 



must be mixed with gum-water as a vehicle. Where it is in- 

 tended to ajjply leaf-gold without any fluxing material to the body 

 of the ware, these should be moistened at the requisite parts with 

 a weak solution of gum-arabic, which must afterwards be allowed 

 to dry. When the gold is applied, the porcelain or glass may be 

 made sufficiently adhesive to it. If a flnx is employed, it should, 

 after being rubbed very fine with a muller, be diluted with gura- 

 water and very thinly spread over tlie parts wliicli it is designed to 

 ornament. When very nearly dry, the leaf-gold is laid upon it. 



Burnishing, which is the last process performed in the manu- 

 facture of ornamented porcelain, is generally intrusted to female 

 hands. The implements required for this purpose are a burnisher 

 of agate or blood - stone, some whitelead, a piece of sheepskin 

 for wiping the ware, and some vinegar. As exti'eme cleanliness 

 is indispensable, the person engaged in burnishing does not even 

 touch the porcelain or her implements, but interposes between 

 them and her hands a piece of clean white linen. The agate 

 burnisher should be applied very lightly on the gilding, following 

 all the ornaments, and never rubbing in cross directions lest the 

 gilding should appear scratched. After having rubbed the gilding 

 for some little time, a little vinegar or whitelead should be 

 applied to cleanse the surface. This being removed with a soft 

 linen rag, the burnishing is recommenced and continued until the 

 gilding throughout assumes a satisfactory appearance. 



All considerable manufactories have enamelling kilns of various 

 sizes. These are in form like a chemist's muflfle, from about six 

 to ten feet long, and from three to five feet wide. The articles 

 are placed in the kiln until it is filled, when, the mouth being 

 closed, fire is applied for about eight or ten hours, at the end of 

 which time the colours are found to be burnt into the glaze. 

 The muffle is provided with trial pieces, which can be extracted 

 from time to time during the baking, and will indicate the 

 general state of heat of the contents of the kiln. When taken 

 out, they are perfectly finished and ready for sale. 



J. E. Jose, Esq., maile some remarks on pottery found in tumuli 

 in the neighbourhood, in the north of England, and in Norway, 

 belonging to the bronze age. 



The President thanked Stevenson for his interesting paper, spoke 

 on the similarity of Mexican and Egyptian pottery, and described 

 the progress of Grecian art as shown in their pottery. 



J. E. Jose, Esq., asked some questions about the Society's excur- 

 sion. The President said he would consult the Head-Master. 



