366 Process for preserving the Canvass in Oil Paintings. 
that the earth moved round the sun,—when all the world he- 
lieved that it was stationary. 
I am, gentlemen, ; 
Your obedient servant, 
Ez. WALKER. 
To Messrs. Nicholson and Tilloch. 
LXXVIII. Process for preserving the Canvass in Oil Paintings, 
and repairing Defects therein. By Mr. Cuar.es Witson, 
Worcester-Street, Borough*. 
Ist. Separate the canvass from the pannel, or straining 
frame, and lay it on a smooth table, with the painting down- 
wards, and nail it securely. ! 
2d. Take a piece of tin foil, larger than the canvass, place it 
on avery smooth table, and make the tin foil as smooth as possi- 
ble with your hand. Then melt some Salisbury glue, in the same 
manner as for cabinet-makers’ use. 
3d. Warm the tinfoil before the fire, and lay it again on the 
table, then wash it over with the glue, and place it on the back 
of the canvass, secured as above, as quick as possible ; smooth it 
perfectly with the hand, and let it remain in a warm room to dry. 
4th. To repair the cracks of the canvass, in an old oil painting, 
lay it on a very smooth table, the subject downwards; then, with 
a brush or fine linen, cover the canvass with some melted white 
wax, and, with a warm flat smoothing iron, rub over the wax, 
and press it hard, which will draw the colours up to the canvass. 
5th. To varnish the painting, clean the picture well, take some 
white wax, and spirits of turpentine, with a small quantity of 
linseed oil and sugar of lead; melt them over the fire, dip a fine 
linen rag therein, with which wash your painting ; then, with a 
fine linen rag, rub over the varnish till it begins to be polished ; 
let it remain till next day, and then rub it over with a fine waxed 
cloth, and afterwards with a soft linen cloth, using them alter- 
nately, by which means the painting will receive a very fine po- 
lish. 
By the above means, the cracks and small holes in old paintings 
may be closed and repaired, and a coat of tin fail may be after- 
wards glued on the back of the canvass, as above mentioned. 
A foot square of the tin foil costs about sixpence; when 
wanted of a larger size it will cost considerably more in propor- 
tion. It may be procured in sheets of three or four feet if wanted. 
* From Transactions of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, &¢. for 
1813.—The Society voted ten guineas to Mr, Wilson for this communica- 
tion. 
LXXIX. Ez- 
