430 ETCHING. 



little, to get some on the dabber; then, having 

 cleaned out, with whiting, the lines that are to be 

 re-bit, heat the plate gently, and dab it very lightly 

 with the dabber. By this, the parts between the 

 lines will be covered v/ith the ground, but the lines 

 themselves will not be tilled up, and consequently 

 will be exposed to the action of the aqua fortis. 

 This is a very delicate process, and must be per- 

 formed with great care. The rest of the plate 

 must now be varnished over, the bordering wax 

 put on again, and the biting repeated in the same 

 manner as at first. 



If any part should be bit too deep, it is more 

 difficult to recover it, or make it fainter : this is ge- 

 nerally done by burnishing the part down, or rub- 

 bing it with a piece of charcoal. This will make 

 the lines shallower, and cause them not to print so 

 black. 



Should any small parts of the lines have missed 

 altogether in the biting, they may be cut with the 

 graver ; which is also sometimes employed to cross 

 the lines of the etching, and thus to work up a 

 more finished effect. 



Dry-pointing is another method employed for 

 softening the liarsh effects usually apparent in an 

 etching. This is done by cutting with the etching- 

 point upon the copper without any ground or var- 

 nish, which does not make a very deep line, and is 

 used for covering the light, where very delicate 

 tints and soft shadows are wanting. By varying 

 these processes of etching, graving, and dry-point- 

 ing, as is thought necessary, the plate is worked 

 up to the full effect intended j and it is then sent 

 to the writing engraver, to grave whatever letters 

 may be required to be put upon it. 



