420 ENGRAVING* 



plate, so as that, when you lay the graver flat 



upon it, you may just perceive the light under 



the point ; otherwise it will dig into the copper, 



and then it will be impossible to keep a point, or 



execute the work with freedom. In order to this, 



keep your right arm close to your side, and place 



the fore-finger of your left hand upon that part of 



the graver which lies uppermost on the stone. 



When this is done, in order to whet the face, place 



the flat part of the handle in the hollow of your 



hand, with the belly of the graver upwards, upon 



a moderate slope, and rub the extremity, or face, 



upon the stone, till it has an exceedingly sharp 



point, which you may try upon your thumb-nail. 



When the graver is too hard, as is usually the 

 case when first bought, and which may be known by 

 the frequent breaking of the point, the method of 

 tempering it is as follows : Heat a poker red-hot, and 

 hold the graver upon it, within half an inch of the 

 point, till the steel changes to a light straw colour 5 

 then put the point into oil, to cool ; or hold the 

 graver close to the flame of a candle, till it be of 

 the same colour, and cool it in the tallow ; but be 

 careful either way, not to hold it too long, for then 

 it will be too soft ; and in this case the point, 

 which will then turn blue, must be tempered 

 again. Be not too hasty in tempering ; for some- 

 times whetting will bring it to a good condition, 

 when it is but a little too hard. 



To hold the graver, cut off that part of the 

 handle which is upon the same line with the belly, 

 or sharp edge of the graver, making that side flat, 

 that it may be no obstruction. 



Hold the handle in the hollow of your hand; 

 and, extending your fore-finger towards the point, 

 let it rest on the back of the graver, that you may 



