( m ) 
Art. Kll.^History of Mechanical Inventions and Processes 
the Arts. 
As we are desirous of m^^king this article as full and useful 
as possible, we have resolved in future to insert short notices of 
new aud interesting patents, provided these notices are commu^ 
nicated to us by the patentees soon after the sealing of their pa- 
tents. 
1 . Account of Factitious Gilding Jbr Chain-Pfidges, and 
other Works in Iron. Comttmnieated by John Robi- 
son, Esq. F. R. S. E. 
The IVfoochees and Nuqquashes of India, who are the makers 
and painters of a variety of objects whose purposes require ability 
to stand the effects of the weather, use an application in ornament- 
ing their works^ which, in appearance, nearly equals gilding, and 
costs little uiore than common paint. It appears to me that this 
application might be useful in some cases in this country, parti- 
cularly in chain-bridges, and other works where iron of a smooth 
surface is exposed to the atmosphere. I therefore use the free- 
dom of troubling you Avith what I recollect on the subject. 
In preparing the factitious gilding in the small way? a quan- 
tity of ptire tin is melted^ and poured into a joint of bamboo, 
(perhaps a foot long, and two or three inches in diameter), close' 
at both ends, except the perforation at which the tin is poured 
in, which is instantly plugged up. The bamboo is then vio- 
lently shaken, which, if well managed, soon makes the metal 
assume the form of a very fine grey powder : this being sifted, 
to separate any coarse particles, is mixed up in thin melted glue, 
and, if I recollect right, is levigated on a stone with a muller. 
The result is poured into dishes (commonly cocoa nut-shells) to 
settle, and the superfluous moisture poured ofi*. 
When to be applied, it should be of the consistence of thin 
cream, and is laid on with a soft brush, like ordinary paint. 
When dry, it appears hke a coat of common grey water colour. 
This is gone over with an agate-burnisher, and then forms a 
bright uniform surface of polished tin ; — a coating of white or 
coloured roghun (oil- varnish) is immediately laid over it, accord- 
ing as it may be intended to imitate silvering or gilding. 
