1818.] French Varnish for Cabinet Work, S>c. 121 



oil ; then doubled, and applied as before. A third coat must also 

 be given in the same manner ; then one with a little oil, which 

 must be followed, as before, with two others without oil ; and thus 

 proceeding until the varnish has acquired some thickness, which 

 will be after a few repetitions of the series ; when a little alcohol 

 may be applied to the inside of the cloth before wetting it with 

 the varnish, and then it must be very quickly and uniformly rub- 

 bed over every part of the surface, which will tend to make it 

 even, and very much conduce to its polish. The cloth must then 

 be wetted a little with alcohol and oil without varnish ; and the 

 surface being rubbed over, with the precautions last mentioned, 

 until it is nearly dry, the effect of the operation will be seen ; 

 and if it be found that it is not complete, the process must be 

 continued, with the introduction of alcohol in its turn, as directed, 

 until the surface becomes uniformly smooth, and beautifully 

 polished. 



It may, perhaps, seem to some of your readers, that the above 

 process is tedious, and that it is described with an unnecessary 

 degree of minuteness : such on trial, however, will not be found 

 to be the case ; especially when it is compared with other modes 

 of varnishing ; as the effect is produced without the heat neces- 

 sary in laying on spirit varnish ; and the polish is complete with- 

 out the trouble of laying on successive coats of an oil varnish 

 with the brush, which must be allowed time to become dry 

 between each, until it becomes sufficiently thick to bear to be 

 reduced to an even surface, with the pumice stone and water, 

 and then to be polished with tripoli. The varnish is also consi- 

 derably harder and more durable than oil varnish ; and, no doubt, 

 will come into general use amongst us when the mode of perform- 

 ing the process is better known. 



In applying the varnish, it will be convenient to hold the 

 cloth between the fore-finger and the thumb, with the other 

 fingers resting upon the back of it ; and when it has become 

 saturated, clogged up, or stiffened with the varnish, it must be 

 changed for another. 



Hoping these directions will prove sufficient for the attainment 

 of this useful art, 



I remain, Gentlemen, 



Your most obedient servant, 



Thomas Gill. 



P. S. In cases where a greater degree of hardness in the var- 

 nish is desirable, and its colour is but a secondary consideration, 

 one composed of one part of shell lac. and eight of alcohol is to 

 be preferred . 



