On the German Polish for Wood. 325 



each should be gone over in succession, in the above manner, 

 and thus afford time for the varnish to acquire consistence be- 

 fore applying another coat of it upon the former ones. In this 

 way the process must be continued, with the usual care and 

 precaution, until it is thought that nearly enough of varnish has 

 been applied to the surfaces. One of the linen rags is now to 

 be taken oif, and the varnishing continued with the remaining 

 four, with a renewed surface, and the application of the oil up- 

 on the outer one ; this again is then to be removed in its turn, 

 and the process carried on towards completion with four thick- 

 nesses only ; then with three ; with two ; and finally with one 

 thickness of linen only. 



Should the varnish be required to be of any other colour 

 than that afforded by the lac, it may be reddened by filing a 

 little Brazil wood, and sprinkling the sponge over with the 

 dust ; changed yellow by treating turmeric root in the same 

 manner, and so with other tinging woods, the colour of which 

 is capable of being brought out by the action of alcohol upon 

 them. 



Should, however, it be required that a still more durable po- 

 lish be given to the wood ; then the above process must be re- 

 peated at the end of two days after the first polish has been 

 given to it ; next, in the course of a week ; again at the end of 

 a month ; and, lastly, at the end of three months; thus always 

 allowing due time for the previous coats to become sufficiently 

 hard before applying the succeeding ones. In this manner, 

 instead of having to lament the quick disappearance of this 

 beautiful polish, as in the ordinary French method of doing it, 

 we may calculate upon its enduring for years. 



The German cabinet-makers do not merely content them- 

 selves with polishing the exterior of their works, but extend 

 this beautiful improvement to the drawers, partitions, and every 

 other part of their interior fittings also, with great addition to 

 their value ; and, indeed, they also take much more care in the 

 finishing of their woods generally than we are in the habit of 

 doing. — GilVs Technological and Microscopic Repository for 

 Aug-ust 1829. 



