and the Application of it to stained Wood. 109 
Method of preparing Linseed- Oil Varnish . 
One pound of well pulverised and sifted litharge, four 
ounces of finely pounded white vitriol, and one quart of 
linseed oil. Put these ingredients into an iron pan of 
such a size that it may be only half full ; mix them well 
together, and boil them till all the moisture is evaporated, 
which may be known by a pellicle being formed on the 
surface, or by the barrel of a quill bursting when thrust 
to the bottom of the boiling varnish. Then take it from, 
the fire and pour off the clear liquid, taking care to keep 
back the thick part which has deposited itself at the bot- 
tom. While boiling, it must be stirred several times 
round, that the litharge may not fall to the bottom ; but 
you must not stir it constantly, else superfluous li 
i barge would be dissolved, and the varnish become too 
thick. 
The composition of amber varnish consists of half a 
pound of melted or roasted amber, one pound and a half 
of linseed-oil varnish, and two pounds of turpentine oik 
The amber and linseed-oil varnish are to be mixed toge- 
ther in a deep cast-iron pan, of such a size as to be only 
one-third full, and to be kept over a slow fire till the 
amber is dissolved, which may be known by its swelling 
up : the operator, therefore, must have at hand a large 
copper or iron vessel, that the varnish may be held over 
it in case it should rise above the sides of the pan, and to 
prevent the loss that would thereby be occasioned. When 
the varnish is dissolved, the pan must be taken from the 
fire ; and when the mixture has cooled, the turpentine oil 
is to be poured into it, continually stirring it. Then let 
it stand some time, that the course undissolved particles 
may deposit themselves at the bottom ; after which pour 
off the clear varnish, and, having strained it through a 
piece of linen, put it into bottles for use. 
Yol. ii. 3 e 
