Theory and Practice 189 



may not be improper to mention something concerning 

 the colour it ought to be painted. Its natural colour, 

 after it is exposed to wet, is that of rusty iron, and the 

 colour of rust indicates decay ; when painted of a slate 

 colour it resembles lead, which is an inferior metal to 

 iron ; and if white or green, it resembles wood : but 

 if we wish it to resemble metal, and not appear of an 

 inferior kind, a powdering of copper or gold dust on 

 a green ground makes a bronze, and perhaps it is the 

 best colour for all ornamental rails of iron. In a cast- 

 iron bridge at Whitton the effect of this bronze colour, 

 mixed with gilding, is admirable ; and for the hand- 

 rails of staircases it is peculiarly appropriate. 



With respect to wooden fences or rails it is hardly 

 necessary to say that the less they are seen the better ; 

 and therefore a dark, or, as it is called, an invisible 

 green, for those intended to be concealed, is the proper 

 colour; perhaps there can hardly be produced a more 

 striking example of the truth, " that whatever is cheap 

 is improper for decorations," than the garish ostentation 

 of white paint, with which, for a few shillings, a whole 

 country may be disfigured by milk-white gates, posts, 

 and rails. 



