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paper breaking on the prominent points, until it is completely 
bedded into every grain and crack of the stone. If there are 
deep parts, strips of paper must be torn and soaked, and 
beaten on to cover the rents where the first paper is split in 
yielding inwards. If desired, the strips may be pulped in 
the fingers and pressed into the hollows by the back edge of 
the brush (squeezing out the water thus as far as possible) 
so as to fill up the sculpture level on the face. This produces 
a solid papier-mache cast. In any case add an outside sheet 
to hold together the first sheet, or pulp, only beating it 
enough to make it stick tight. As a rule, let the paper 
remain on till quite dry. 
Difficulties .—Limestone is often too absorbent, and will not 
leave water on the surface to hold the paper. If the face is 
upright the paper must be held up along the top edge, beaten 
on quickly, and then lifted off* the stone and laid to dry on a 
flat surface, such as smooth sand. The sculpture is often too 
polished and smooth for the paper to get any hold, so that 
when it begins to contract in drying it draws out of the 
hollows,, and may retain no impression from a low relief. If 
so, as soon as it begins to dry lift it off by peeling it up from 
one edge (holding the corners), and lay it flat to finish drying. 
Wind is the greatest trouble. On this account paper should 
never be larger than necessary ; sometimes temporarily beat it 
on at the edge while doing the rest, and lift and re-beat the edge 
finally when the rest is done, or plaster the edges down with 
mud. It is always well to beat the edges on very thoroughly 
in finishing to prevent the paper being blown up while 
drying. Strings across the face of the stone are useful, 
especially if the face overhangs. 
When dry the papers may be packed tight together in a 
box without any injury, or rolled up if necessary. If the 
stone yielded salt to the squeeze, the paper may be soaked in 
a tray of water to extract it. When casts are required, heat 
the paper on a stove, and brush over with beeswax enough to 
choke the grain, but not to face it. Then plaster may be 
cast on it, taking care that it does not run round the edges. 
Tissue paper beaten on with aHooth brush may be used for 
