372 Mr. Gtll on French Varnish for Cabinet Work. [May, 



according to the lesser or greater extent of the surface to be 

 varnished. 



The varnish is to be applied to the middle of the flat face of 

 the rubber by shaking up the bottle containing it, as in the former 

 described process ; but it will absorb a much greater quantity 

 than the linen cloth, before recommended, could safely do ; and 

 will continue to supply it equably, and in a due proportion to the 

 surface which is undergoing the process of varnishing, for a con- 

 siderably longer period. 



The rubber must next be enclosed in a soft linen cloth doubled, 

 the remainder of the cloth being gathered tog-ether at the back 

 of the rubber to form a handle to hold it by, and the face of the 

 cloth must be moistened with a little raw linseed oil (which may 

 either be coloured with alkanet root, or not), applied upon the 

 finger to the middle of it, and the operation be commenced and 

 proceeded with according to the former directions. The work 

 to be varnished should be placed opposite to the light, in order 

 that the effect of the polishing maybe better seen. 



In this manner a surface of from one to eight feet square may 

 be varnished at once, and the process, instead of being limited 

 to the varnishing of rich cabinets or other smaller works, can 

 now be applied to tables and other large pieces of furniture with 

 very great advantages over the common way of polishing with 

 wax, oils, &.c. 



In some cases it is preferable to rub the wood over with a little 

 oil applied on a linen cloth before beginning to varnish. I 

 should, however, prefer the application of the varnish £.*st upon 

 the woollen rubber, and particularly in the angles of framed 

 work, where it is difficult to cause the varnish, apphed in the 

 manner above described, to penetrate, and, therefore, should 

 apply it alone without using oil with it for the first coat. At any 

 rate, should the oil be used first, I would certainly recommend 

 that the varnish be next applied alone, previous to commencing 

 the polishing process, with the application of both varnish and 

 oil. 



In recesses, or carved work, where the surfaces are not liable 

 to wear, or are difficult to reach with the rubber, a spirit varnish 

 made, without lac, of the usual gum resins, and considerably 

 thicker than that used in the above process, may be applied to 

 those parts with a brush, or hair pencil, as is commonly done in 

 other modes of varnishing. 



When works varnished in this manner require to be cleaned, 

 spirit or oil of turpentine should be used, as it is not liable to 

 dissolve the varnish. 



The employment of this beautiful process is rapidly extending 

 amongst us; and I shall be glad if, through your channel of 

 in formation, I can contribute to render the attainment of the art 

 easy to those who may be interested therein. 



J cannot here avoid observing, that in the Monthly Magazine 



