324 On the German Polish for Wood. 



Our scientific friend, Mr J. I. Hawkins, iiowever, having 

 lately returned from Vienna, where he saw this process per- 

 formed by an excellent workman in the cabinet-making line, 

 and where it was invented forty years since, has kindly fur- 

 nished us with such valuable information on their superior me- 

 thod of performing it, that we lose no time in communicating it 

 to our readers. 



The wood having been plained flat, and finished with the steel 

 scraper, as in the usual processes for the French polish, has its 

 surface evened as follows : Two pieces of pumice-stone, having 

 been previously rubbed flat, are then to be oiled, and rubbed 

 against each other, until they have acquired an uniform or even 

 surface. The wood is then to be well rubbed with these, first 

 longitudinally, then across, and, finally, in a spiral or circular 

 manner, always obliterating or removing the scratches or marks 

 made by the former rubbing, before finishing the succeeding 

 ones ; in this manner the surface of the wood will likewise re- 

 ceive an uniform surface, and will become ready for the appli- 

 cation of the varnish. 



The Germans never use any other varnish than a rather di- 

 lute solution of seed-lac, or shell-lac, in alcohol, for their polish ; 

 and, indeed, the addition of any other material would only in- 

 jure the great hardness of the lac varnish. If the varnish be 

 required of a lighter colour than usual, in this case the clearest 

 grains of lac ought to be selected in preference. 



The varnish is applied in the following manner : A piece of 

 sponge being wetted with the varnish, is to be laid upon five 

 pieces of linen rag, the borders or edges of them being gathered 

 together at the back, to serve as a handle to this rubber. When 

 the varnish has penetrated all through these different thick- 

 nesses of linen cloth, a little linseed oil must be applied in the 

 midst of the varnish. The whole extent of one surface of the 

 article to be polished must then be gone over at once with this 

 rubber ; the varnish being also applied, first in straight lines, 

 crossing each other, and then in spiral or circular ones, in the 

 same manner as in the evening the surface of tlie wood ; and 

 fresh oil must be applied to the centre of the rubber, whenever 

 a tackiness or adherence of the varnish is beginning to take 

 place. If there are four or five different articles to be polished, 



