41 



the year when pretty ripe, and oak saw-dust, or small chips of it, iti 

 rain water, and stirred pretty often for a fortnight, and then strain- 

 ed, and the water used with the same ingredients as above, the ink 

 will still be stronger and better. 



Hoic to make Red Ink. 



Take three pints of stale beer (rather than vinegar) and four 

 ounces of ground Brazil wood; simmer them together for an hour 

 and then strain it through a flannel; then bottle it up, well stopped, 

 for use. 



Or you may dissolve half an ounce of gum Senegal, or Arabic, in 

 half a pint of water; then put a penny-worth of vermillion into a 

 small gallipot, and pour some of the gumwater to it, and stir it well, 

 and mix it together with a hair pencil, to a proper consistency; but 

 it will not incoporate presently, but by the next day it will; then 

 having a clean pen, dip it into the ink, having first well stirred it 

 with a pencil, and then you may use it; it is a fine and curious red, 

 though not so free as the other. And after the same manner you 

 may make any other coloured ink, as blue, green v purple, &c. hav- 

 ing divers gallipots for that use. In like manner you may mix the 

 shell-gold, for curious occasions, pouring two or three drops, ac- 

 cording to direction, into the shell, and mix it well with a clean 

 hair pencil, and with it put a little into a clean pen, c. The small 

 shells may be bought at some fan sellers, or fan painters, at two or 

 three for two-pence; or the large ones, which are the best, at the 

 colour-shops at sixpence a piece. 



To keep Ink from Freezing or Moulding. 



In hard frosty weather ink will be apt to freeze; if once it does, 

 it will be good for nothing; for it takes away all its blackness and 

 beauty. To prevent which (if you have not the conveniency of 

 keeping it warm, or from the cold) put a few drops of brandy, or 

 other spirits into it, and it will not freeze. And to hinder its mould- 

 ing, put a little salt therein. 



Wheat to make equal to Coffee. 



Take English wheat, use it in all points as coffee, and it will be as 

 wholesome. 



Secret Writing. 



If you dip your pen in the juice of a lemon or of an onion, or in 

 your own urine, or in spirits of vitriol, and write on clean paper 

 whatever you intend, it shall not be discerned till you hold it to the 

 fire, and then it will appear legible. And if with any of the above- 

 mentioned, you write on your skin, as on your arm, or back of 

 your hand, &c it shall not be seen till you burn a piece of paper, 

 and with the ashes rub on the place,- and then it will appear very 

 plain. 



Another way is, when you write a letter, that you intend it shall 

 not be discovered, but to those you think fit, first to write your 

 thoughts on one side of the letter with black ink, as usual, (but it 

 ought to be on thin paper) and then on the contrary side, go over 

 the said matter that you would have secret, with a clean pen dip- 

 ped in milk; and that writing shall not be read without holding it to 



