[50 
then relin, tallow, tar, and brimftone, melted toge- 
ther, and put on with an hair brufh while the plank9 
remain hot, make fuch a kind of paint as Pliny de- 
fcribes j which, he fays, nec J'ole , nec fale , ventifque 
corrumpitur , as they were ignorant of the ufe of oil 
painting, they mixed that colour with the wax, &c. 
which they intended for each particular part of the 
fhip, and put it on in the manner above deferibed. 
In the pictures painted for thefe experiments, and 
now laid before your Lordfhip and the Society, I 
hope neither the defign of the landfchape, nor the 
execution of it, will be fo much taken into confi- 
deration as the varnifh (which was the thing wanted 
in this inquiry) : and I think that will evince, that 
the encauftic painting with burnt wax is fully reftored 
by thefe experiments ; and though not a new inven- 
tion, yet having been loft for fo many ages, and now 
applied further, and to other purpofes than it was by 
Vitruvius (who confined it to vermilion only), may 
almoft amount to a new difeovery, the ufe of it may 
be a means of preferving many curious drawings to 
* pofterity : for this kind of painting may be on 
paper, cloth, or any other fubftancc that will admit 
a ground to be laid on it. The procefs is very fimple, 
and is not attended with the difagreeable fmell un- 
avoidable in oil painting, nor with fome inconveniences 
infeparable from that art ; and as there is no fubftance 
we know, more durable than wax, it hath the greateft 
probability of being lafting. 
* A bird painted by Mr. Edwards on paper, and the colours fixed 
by burned wax, was fhewn to the Society, April 5th. 
I afk 
