1 24 S Y L V A BOOK in 



dissolve in a large matras (well stopp'd) with the 

 spirit of wine by a two days digestion, frequently 

 agitating it, that it adhere not to the glass : Then 

 strain and press it forth into a lesser vessel : Some 

 after the first infusion upon the ashes, after twenty 

 four hours, augment the heat, and transfer the matras 

 to the sand-bath, till the liquor begins to simper ; and 

 when the upper part of the matras grows a little hot, 

 and that the gum-lacq is melted, which by that time 

 (if the operation be heeded) commonly it is, strain it 

 through a linnen-cloth, and press it 'twixt two sticks 

 into the glass, to be kept for use, which it will eternal- 

 ly be, if well stopp'd. 



THE APPLICATION. 



The wood which you would vernish, should be 

 very clean, smooth, and without the least freckle or 

 flaw ; and in case there be any, stop them with a 

 paste made of gum tragacanth, incorporated with 

 what colour you design : Then cover it with a layer 

 of vernish purely, till it be sufficiently drench'd with 

 it : Then take seven times the quantity of the vernish, 

 as you do of colour, and bruise it in a small earthen- 

 dish glaz'd, with a piece of hard wood, till they are 

 well mingled : Apply this with a very fine and full 

 pencil ; a quarter of an hour after do it over again, 

 even to three times successively ; and if every time 

 it be permitted to dry, before you put on the next, 

 'twill prove the better : Within two hours after 

 these four layers (or sooner if you please) polish it 

 with presle (which our cabinet-makers call, as I think, 

 Dutch-reeds) wet, or dry ; nor much imports it, tho' 

 in doing this, you should chance to discover any of 



