1847.] How to take correct facsimiles of inscriptions. 367 



paper with a rag, so as to color it uniformly, more or less, according to 

 the nature of the stone on which the incriptions are cut ; if the surface 

 is very smooth, the thinner the color the better, and vice versa. It is 

 best to keep a few sheets ready prepared of different shades of color 

 on hand. These should be rolled on a light roller with a sheet of 

 blotting or unsized paper between each, to absorb all superfluous greasy 

 matter. Paper prepared with ochre mixed in water answers, but is apt 

 to obliterate. 



To take off impressions, first of all damp your plain paper slightly, 

 and with little wafers of bees wax fasten it tightly over the inscription ; 

 next cut a slip of prepared (colored) paper the width of two or three 

 lines, according to the size of the letters, and when very large, of one 

 line only ; apply the colored face to the white paper, and with a muller 

 made of hard wood, rub the paper longitudinally and vertically until all 

 the letters appear as clear they will, moving the colored paper onwards 

 as the impression comes off : the color becomes transferred by this 

 means into all the raised surface of the inscribed stone, leaving the 

 cavities or letters white. This will be more or less perfect according 

 to the nature of the stone, the smoothest giving the best impressions. 



It is better in large inscriptions to cut your white paper also in 

 strips and to number the lines as you take them off to enable you to 

 adjust them afterwards. 



When the impression has been thus taken, it should be most carefully 

 compared, letter for letter, with the original, and indistinct letters should 

 be supplied in pencil ; it will be found that rough surfaces require this 

 invariably, indeed some inscriptions cannot be fairly imprinted with 

 the color ; however, it is best to make the most of it and make the 

 letters distinct with a pencil as suggested. 



For correcting, the light at sunrise and sunset, also strong moon light, 

 or by torch at night is best ; letters that are invisible at other times 

 become distinct then ; the surface should be looked at obliquely, and 

 indeed from every point till the eye catches the form of the letters ; 

 of course this will be easier to one accustomed to the different alphabets 

 and who may be able to read and comprehend them. 



In searching for inscriptions parties should practically, never " leave 

 a stone unturned," for they often occur in the most unlikely localities, 

 usually above doors or within their jaumbs, or in some dark corner 



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