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OF ENGRAVING. 



Engraving, or graving, as it is sometimes called ? 

 is the cutting lines upon a copper-plate, by means 

 of a steel instrument, called a graver. 



This was the first way of producing copper-plate 

 prints that was practised, and is still mucli used in 

 historical subjects, portraits, and in finishing land- 

 scapes. 



The tools necessary for this art are, gravers, a 

 scraper, a burnisher, an oil-stone, a sand-bag, an 

 oil-rubber, and some good charcoal. 



The gravers are instruments of tempered steel, 

 fitted into a short wooden handle. They are of 

 two sorts, square and lozenge : the first is used in 

 cutting very broad strokes, the other for fainter 

 and more delicate lines. 



The scraper is a thjee-edged tool, for scraping 

 off the burr raised by the graver. Burnishers are 

 for rubbing down any lines that are too deep, or 

 burnishing out any scratches or holes in the cop- 

 per: they are of very hard steel, well rounded 

 and polished. 



The oil-stone is for whetting the gravers, etch- 

 ing-points, &c. 



The sand-bag, or cushion, is for laying the plate 

 upon, for the conveniency of turning it round in 

 any direction. 



The oil-rubber and charcoal are for polishing 

 the plate when necessary. 



As great care is required to whet the graver 

 nicely, particularly the belly of it, the two angles 

 of the graver which are to be held next the plate, 

 must be laid flat upon the stone, and rubbed 

 steadily, till the belly rises gradually above the 



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