STRETCHING THE CANVAS. 149 



by machine, and running completely round the can- 

 vas. Next a number of iron rings had to be fastened 

 to the edges, at intervals of about five inches, by 

 means of twine; and, finally, these rings had to be 

 fitted with running cords carefully waxed, spliced, 

 and bound, to prevent any possible chance of fray- 

 ing. 



Then, of course, this canvas had to be painted ; 

 but before that operation could be performed it was 

 necessary to stretch it upon the frame. This was done 

 as follows : 



First, the two upper corners of the canvas were 

 firmly lashed, by means of short cords depending from 

 the corner rings, to the hand-screws upon the upper 

 part of the back of the frame. Next the running 

 cords already mentioned were looped over a number of 

 projecting screws with which the whole inner edge of 

 the framework was set ; and, when these cords were 

 drawn tight, the result was that the canvas was 

 stretched so perfectly that not a wrinkle was anywhere 

 to be seen. Then all the cords were securely fastened, 

 and tucked away out of sight, a final turn given to all 

 the screws, and the guy-ropes tightened up if necessary ; 

 and then the frame was all ready for the lecture. 



The painting of the canvas was a somewhat lengthy 

 process. First of all it had to be " sized," and then 

 left for a day. After this three coats of black paint 

 were successively applied at intervals of a couple of 

 days ; and then was superimposed a coat, sometimes 

 repeated, of " flatting," to employ the technical term, 



