DIRECTIONS FOR DYEING GUT. 61 



the line, per se, that a culprit does of a rope), 

 is universally admitted ; and why we should not 

 follow out that rule in the smallest minutise, I am 

 at a loss to understand. 



Herb. But tell me now how do you procure 

 this colour? I've heard something about the 

 capability of common ink to produce it. 



Theoph. It is generally used, and when mixed 

 with one part of cold vinegar and a little water, 

 if the gut be soaked for two hours or less, it will 

 be found a handy process ; but as there is much 

 copperas in ink, which has a rotting tendency, I 

 prefer a recipe, the ingredients of which I can 

 trust. Some .persons stain their gut by simply 

 rubbing blotting paper steeped in ink over it. I 

 will now put you in possession of my secrets in 

 dyeing gut. But let me start with general direc- 

 tions applicable to all the recipes I give you, 

 unless otherwise expressed. 



General Directions for Dyeing Gut. 



In an earthen pipkin boil about one pint and 

 a half of cold water with the dyeing ingredients I 

 shall mention presently. When these have boiled 

 about ten minutes, take the pipkin off the fire, and 

 after a minute or so, immerse the gut, tied, if at 

 all, very loosely, and leave it in the still bub- 

 bling liquid, so long only by the watch, as I direct, 

 and it is dyed enough ; for observe, that these 



