BLOCK PRINTING, &C. 1Q3 



Kend that the mordants employed for printed goods may fre- sometimes be 



quently render the use of metallic blocks mmdvisablc : but a the^use^of^this 



few inconveniences should not lead us to reject a process art. 



which may speedily be brought to perfection, as we are led to 



expect from the purposes to which it has already been applied, 



and the success obtained. 



'' The upholsterer will ornament his goods at a small ex- In furnittire. 



pence, by multiplying the engraved gems and basso relievoes of 



antiquity, and the fine productions of modern art, by means of 



plaster moulds. 



" These ornaments will be in a style as chaste as that of the A/'^eap «u^- 

 ^ , • . , •,, , . , ,11, stitute for carv- 



models, of which they will only be polytype^ ; and the labours jng. 



of the carver and sculptor becoming needless, works may be 



afforded at fi low price, of such a degree of perfection, as could 



not by any other means be attained without considerable 



charge. 



" The maker of artificial flowers, by employing plaster of In artificial 

 Paris, may find a cheap method of procuring solid moulds taken '^^^'^^ "^^ ^"^' 

 from the leaves themselves, and more perfect than those imita- 

 tions made by art. 



" The figurer of stuffs too may substitute moulds of metal In figuring 

 for those of plaster of Paris, sulphur, and wood, which he ^ '^ ^' 

 commonly employs. 



" The antiquary may use metallic impressions instead of the In imitating 

 plaster casts and sulphurs of his cabinet; and his impressions, and ffems?*"^ 

 thus rendered more solid, will have the advantage of being 

 capable of being multiplied more easily vvithout fear of injuring 

 them, and his collection will be increased by the exchange of 

 copies he may make with others, 



" Lastly, this art affords* the means of improving engraving For ens^raving 

 in relief; of which I have already exhibited proofs, and more j" Ik 'cutting: 

 positive demonstration will soon be afforded the Society. T 

 hope it will see brought to perfection, an art almost lost among 

 us, the success and advantages of which, however, concern 

 many branches of national industry. 



" I might mention several other uses of stamps or blocks Blocks of plas- 

 made with plaster of Paris (du dichage en pldtre), and I **^'' 

 conceive there are several cases in which it may be of utility, 

 particularly when the process shall have attained all the per- • 

 fection of which it is susceptible." 



Vol. XIV.— July, 1806. Co The 



