Engraving on Steatites 83 



the soil requires Improvement, and in ^vhat it consists. For 

 it is only when the mixture of the soil is well known that 

 the farmer can divide his labour into that which relates to 

 the improvement, and that which relates to the preparation 

 of the soil. 



XI. On the Use of Steatites in the Art of Engraving en 

 Stones *. 



A. HE engraver on stones is in regard to the sculptor what 

 the enanieller is to the painter. He labours on a small 

 scale and with difficulty ; but his work, when Vv ell finished, 

 is delicate and durable. In consequence of the particular 

 value attached to engraved stones, it has often been wished 

 that some matter easv to be worked, and at the same time 

 uniting beautv to solidity, might be discovered. Glass, 

 paste, and that of Wedgewood, are exceedingly valuable; 

 but the impressions formed on them have not the accuiacy 

 of the original, and some part of the genius of the artist 

 is lost. 



A trial has lately been made for this purpose of steatites, 

 which has perfectly succeeeded, and at present M. Vilcot, 

 an artist of Louvaine, has executed several cameos on this 

 substance. The works of this engraver are well conceived, 

 delicately designed, and beautifully finished. These cameos, 

 which are two or three inches in diameter, are hardened in. 

 the fire, coloured and polished. They have then the hard- 

 ness of flint, the brilliancy of agate, and in colour several 

 of them resemble onyx. 



In consequence of its softness this matter can be cut and 

 turned with great facility, and being composed of exceed- 

 ingly fiiie parts, the greatest accuracy may be observed iu 

 the operation. 



This stone is worked in its natural state. It is then put 

 into a crucible covered with a tile, and the tile being luted 

 with clay, the whole, surrounded with charcoal, is put into 

 a furnace. It is exposed to a slow fire, and kept at a white 

 heat for two or three hours : it is then taken from the fire 

 and suffered to cool gradually. The stone by these means 

 becomes very hard ; it strikes fire with steel and wears tiie 

 best files. 



The white pieces of steatites in consequence of the heat 

 become of a milky white colour : other pieces assume a 

 gray or ochry colour. 



• Journal d" Bn/.'f.i^ns Civi/i, 



V 2 Steatites, 



