The art of glass shewing how to make all sorts of glass, crystal and enamel : likewise the making of pearls, precious stones, china and looking-glasses : to which is added, the method of painting on glass and enameling : also how to extract the colours from minerals, metals, herbs and flowers ... : illustrated with proper sculptures / written originally in French, by Mr. H. Blancourt, and now first translated into English ; with an appendix, containing exact instructions for making glass-eyes of all colours.

OF THE ART OF GLASS. (Book 10)

BOOK X. Shewing how to Extract the Essential Tincture of all Herbs, or Flowers, as Yellow, Red, Green, Blue, Vio∣let, Purple-colour'd, &c. With their respective Lakes: To make Ultra-marine, German-Blue, &c. as well for the Art of Glass, as Painting. (Book 10)

CHAP. CCXVIII.

NOT to omit any thing which at all concerns the Art of Glass, we thought convenient in this Tenth Book, to give the Publick a Method of Extracting all manner of Essential Tinctures from Herbs, as well as Flowers; a Work not only neces∣sary for Painting, but the Art of Glass too: We shall

also give Directions to make Lake of several Colours, Vltra-marine of Lapis-Lazuli, with German-Blue, &c.

The manner we prescribe for making these Co∣lours, does equally qualifie them for tinging Glass, Stones, Enamel, and for Paint on Enamel and Glass∣work, and all this so prepared, as not to press on the Diversions, or pall the Pleasure of the several Artists, or other curious Persons, who employ them∣selves that way for Recreation.

What can be more admirable, than the Products, and Liberality of Nature, in bestowing such excel∣lent Enamel on Flowers and Plants, as contribute to furnish Painting with such fine and lively Colours, which the Industry of Mankind can extract, and so well adapt to the Conveniency of Art, as to pro∣duce Effects, finer, and more beautiful than any o∣ther whatsoever.

The use of Flowers and Plants, is not wholly con∣fined to this Noble Art, but they are also proper for Dying, and have much more excellent success in Physick, where their Vertues are infinite, &c.

No Product in Nature is useless, but the very meanest has its necessary Properties; and those which seem the most abject and venomous, (even the great∣est Poisons) have admirable Effects in Medicines, when duly prepared; and this the Professors of Phy∣sick are not unacquainted withal, tho' very many pretend to those Studies, whose Endeavours are far short of handing them through the secret Excellen∣cies thereof.

CHAP. CCXIX. How to Extract Lake from Broom-Flowers.

WE will give several ways of making Lakes of several Colours: The first with a Lixivium, or Lee, made of Soda of the Glass-house, and fresh Quick-lime, which must be pretty strong, in which put your Broom-Flowers, over a small Fire, until all the Tincture be drawn from them, the Flow∣ers become White, and the Lee receive the Yellow Colour: Then take out the Flowers, and put the Lixivium into a glazed Earthen Vessel to boil, ad∣ding thereto as much Roch-Allom, as it can well dis∣solve; then take it off, and put it into a large Ves∣sel, mixing it with fair Water, so the Yellow will separate and descend to the bottom, let it rest there a little, and afterwards decant the Water off gently, and so put in more fresh to it again and again, until the Water has drawn off all the Salt and Allom from the Lixivium, and it become clear: Thus the Colour will be very well cleansed of the Salt and Allom, and remain exceeding fine and bright, spread it on pieces of White Linen, and let it dry in the Shade on new-baked Tiles, and you'll have a most admirable Yellow-Lake for Painting.

CHAP. CCXX. To Extract the Tincture of Poppies, Iris (or Flower∣de-luce) Red-Roses, Violets, and all sorts of Green∣Herbs, for making Lake of their Colour.

TO avoid unnecessary Repetitions, we have thought fit to bring all these under one Chap∣ter, because the Method for extracting their Colours is the same in one as in t'other, and done with the former Lixivium of Soda and Quick-Lime.

You must steep and boil each sort of Flowers, or Herbs by themselves in the Lixivium, giving it time to draw off the Colour entirely, which you'll soon perceive when the Faeces, or Flowers grow white, and the Lixivium deepened with the Tincture; then pour off the Lixivium gently into your Earthen gla∣zed Vessels, and set them over a Fire, putting in as soon as they begin to boil as much Roch-Allom, as they can well dissolve, and so take them off.

After this pour all together into a large Earthen Vessel glazed, and pour into it fair Water, to make the Colour precipitate; let it stand and settle, then pour off the Water, and put in fresh; and thus con∣tinue to change the Water until it pour off as clear as you put it in, and taste flat, or insipid, so as you may conclude all the Soda, Salt of Alom, and Lime, are drawn off: Thus you'll have at the bottom, a very fine Tincture to make a pure and delicate Lake withal, of the same Colour as your Flowers, or Herbs that were used; spread it on pieces of Linen, dry them in the Shade on new-baked Tiles as be∣fore. After the same manner you may draw any

other Lake, from whatsoever colour'd Herb, or Flower you please.

CHAP. CCXXI. Another Way to Extract the Tincture of Yellow Flowers, of Field-Poppies, Irises, ordinary and deep colour∣ed Violets, Carnation, and Red-Rose, Borrage∣Flowers, Red-Coleworts, Flags, &c. Together with the Verditers of Mallows, Burnet, and other Herbs.

WE shall not give the same in this as in the foregoing Chapter, that Preparation is com∣mon to all those in the Title thereof, and so is this to these. To avoid Prolixity and Repetitions,

You must have the Flowers, or Herbs newly ga∣thered, fresh enough to stain a Card with their Juice pressed thereon, else they'll not serve your turn; put these into a Glass Cucurbit with a pretty large Mouth; pour in among them good Strong∣Waters to drown them by four Inches, joyn a Reci∣pient to it, and lute the Joints very well, letting them dry; this done, place the Alembick on a Sand▪ Furnace, keeping a very gentle. Fire under it, gi∣ving the Matter time to digest, increasing it by very little and little, and so the Strong-waters will rise on the Leaves, and draw off the Colour, then improve your Fire to distil your tinged Strong-waters, into the Recipient, out of which you must take and put them into another Alembick, luting well the Join∣tures, and let it distil in Balneo, or over a very slow Ash-Fire, and the Strong-water will distil off in their own Colour, without any Tincture, and may be kept for the like occasion again: The Essence you'll

have at the bottom of the Cucurbit, let it dry gent∣ly: Thus you may have Lakes from all manner of Herbs and Flowers whatsoever.

CHAP. CCXXII. To make a Scarlet-colour'd Lake.

THE Design of this Chapter, is only to order the first Preparation for obtaining our Scar∣let-colour, whereof we will make a very delicate Lake.

Take Shearings of White Woollen-Drapery, let them be fine as possible, steep them a whole Day in cold Water, press them afterwards very well to take off all the Greasiness, and Allume it thus.

Put four Ounces of Roch-Allom, and two Ounces of Crude Tartar in Powders, into a small Kettle, pouring thereon two Quarts of Water; when this begins to boil, put to them one pound of the Shear∣ings, and so let it boil a full Half-hour; afterwards take it off and cool it for six Hours; take out the Shearings and wash them in clean Water, leave 'em to steep about two Hours; press them after this, and dry them, keeping them for the use we shall pre∣scribe in the next Chapter.

CHAP. CCXXIII. To Extract Scarlet-colour from Kerm-Berries, for making a Fine Lake.

THE Name of Kermes is purely Arabick, for in that Country these Berries grow on a small Tree, or Shrub, and from that their Native Soil, were transplanted into Spain, Portugal, Provence, and Languedoc, where they now are plentiful; several would perswade us, that 'tis a sort of Oak, called in Latin, Coccigera, but the Leaves which are prickled like those on Holly, only smaller, shews us the con∣trary.

These Grains, or Berries, have several other uses than in Painting, being of excellent Vertue in Phy∣sick: Of them the Apothecaries make their Syrop called Alkermes, and from the remainder of them which is left behind in the Strainer, they draw a substance for the Dyers, which is used in colouring of Stuffs.

Several ways may be given to extract the Tin∣cture of these Grains for making Lake; we'll on∣ly insist on two, the first is indifferent long, but very excellent, and produces a Tincture whereby i•• made a most admirable fine Lake.

The way of making the Lake in France, is very modern, and 'tis but of late they have had this Se∣cret in Paris, which was brought from Venice; now since few are familiar with it we are willing to pub∣lish this, that many may know how to Wor•• therein.

Take four Quarts of clear Water, and four Pound of Wheaten-Bran, two Drams of Oriental Piraster, and as much Foenugrec, set all in a Kettle over a Fire, till the Water be Milk-warm; keep your Hand in it until you can bear the heat no longer; then take it off, cover it with a Cloath, that the heat may con∣tinue the longer, let it repose for twenty four Hours, then run off the Lixivium, and keep it for the following purpose.

Get a clean Earthen-Pot, and put therein three Quarts of fair Water to half the Lixivium; order a Fire, and let this boil thereon, which when it be∣gins to do, put in an Ounce of the Grains pounded impalpably in a Brass-Mortar, and searced; then pound a little crude Tartar, to take off the remain∣ing parts of the Grains on the bottom and sides of your Mortar, and so put it in with the Grains; when the Water begins to boil again, take it off in an in∣stant, and set it to cool.

This done, and the Water cold, take the Shear∣ings prepared in the former Chapter, and let them stain therein about half an Hour: Afterwards squeeze it into another Pot by expression; and after you have thus drawn off all the Tincture, put the Shearings into the last Pot, stirring them about very well with a small Stick; that they may stain the sooner, boil all for about half an Hour over a small Fire, else the Tincture will become black, then take the Shearings out, and put them well tinged into a Vessel of cold Water; about half an Hour after pour off the Water gently, and so put fresh on again, then press and spread them to dry in a clean place, where no Dust can come at them.

This done make the following Lixivium. Put on a Hempen-cloath doubled, Vine-stalk-Ashes, or Ashe; of Willow, or some other lighter Wood; pour thereon, by degrees, cold Water, letting it strain

through into a Vessel set underneath; pour it again on the Ashes, and when it is all run through, set it to settle for twenty four Hours, that the Ashes which it carried off, may fall to the bottom; this done, pour the Lixivium by degrees, into another Vessel, rejecting the Sediment, put your Shearings into this, having warmed it: When it begins to be cold, let it boil over a gentle Fire, and it will be∣come red; take a little of the Shearings, press them well, and if it remains without colour, take off the Kettle immediately, for the Lixivium has extracted it entirely, spread a Linen-cloath o'er a Free-stone Bowl, set the Shearings therein, and pour on the Lixivium by little and little to strain and yield the Tincture, then squeeze the Cloath and the Shearings therein, to press out all the Colour that remained in them, throw away the Cloath, wash the Shear∣ings clean and keep them for the like use another time.

Then put twelve Ounces of Roch-Allom well pow∣dered, into a Glass Body full of cold Water, letting it dissolve quite; when this is perfectly done, spread a Linen-cloath over two Staves, and set underneath a large Free-stone Vessel, put all the Allom-Water into the Bottle of Tincture, and strain it afterwards through this Cloath; the Lixivium will go through it clear, and leave the Colour behind, but if it shou'd not be coloured, 'tis only straining it through again, and you'll have done.

Now to get the Tincture, you must mix all that remains on the Cloath, and gather it together, spread∣ing it afterwards over new-made Tiles (which have not yet been allowed time to moisten) on the pieces of Linen, then mold them into Troches to dry sud∣denly, without moulding, which wou'd spoil them; therefore you must take great care that the Tiles be not at all moist, and if so, to change them, that it

may dry the sooner, and thus you'll have a Lake of admirable colour for Painting; you must lessen, or improve the Colour as you find, by a greater or lesser quantity of Roch-Allom.

CHAP. CCXXIV. A readier way to Extract the Tincture of Kerm-Berries.

THO the Menstruum given in the last Chapter, made with Shearings of Cloath, be a very good one for this purpose, yet the following is a more easie and as effectual.

Take Strong-waters of the first Run, or Distilling, and put it into a long-neckt Glass Body; dissolve therein a Pound of Roch-Allom, adding an Ounce of Kerm-Berries, finely powder'd and searced; let it digest well, shaking the Matrass from time to time, and the Strong-waters will draw to them all the Tincture of the Kermes, and be very sinely colour∣ed; then let all settle four Days, and afterwards pour it gently into a glazed Earthen-Vessel.

Dissolve four Ounces of Roch-Allom in running Wa∣ter, and pour this into the Strong-Waters, or Tin∣cture of Kermes, to cause a separation; filter it through a Linen-cloath, and the Strong-Waters will fall through White, leaving the Tincture behind; if they be any thing coloured, strain them again and again until they be clear: Take up the Lake, or Colour, with a clean Wooden-Spoon, and make it into Troches, drying them as directed in the for∣mer Chapter: Thus you may have a quantity of this Colour, or Lake, as fine and good as the former.

CHAP. CCXXV. To make Lake, or Tincture of Brazile.

THE Brazile which Dyers make use of, is meant here; take of the finest which comes from Fernambouck, that being the best.

The way of extracting this Tincture is the same as the former from Kermes, and may be effected two ways, either with the first prescribed Menstruum, or the Strong-Waters, observe only not to put as much Allom to each Ounce of Brazile, as to the Berries, for that Tincture is deeper than this from Brazile, and consequently requires more Stuff; use therefore as much here as you find rea∣sonable, for Experience will give you the best in∣struction.

Take notice too that when you do it by the first Menstruum, there is a greater quantity required of Brazile than was prescribed of Kermes-Berries, to each Pound of Shearings; in every thing else fol∣low the former Directions, and you'll have a fine Colour, or Lake, less chargeable, and alto∣gether as good as the Tincture of Kermes, for Painting.

CHAP. CCXXVI. To Extract Tincture of Madder for Lake.

MAdder is the Root of a Plant common enough▪ but generally comes from Holland and Zea∣land, and used by Dyers; if good, 'tis red; 'tis finer than Brazile, and before you use it, must be finely powdered to give the better colour.

You may use either of the former Menstruums of Shearings, or Strong-Waters, ordering your Quan∣tities, as directed for the Brazile, if you follow the Preparation given in Chap. 223. you'll have a fine colour from this Root, which make into Troches, drying them as before, this will be a perfect Lake, and very fine for use.

CHAP. CCXXVII. How to make Ultra-marine, of Lapis-Lazuli.

THIS Rich and Noble Blue drawn from an A∣zure-Stone, commonly called Lapis-Lazuli; 'tis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Opaque-Stone, of a fine Sky-colour, or Turkish-••lue, or like the Blue-Flowers which grow in Corn∣••••lds, 'tis embellished with small Streaks and Spar∣••es of Gold-colour; the best is that which is fixt, ••••at is, can endure Fire without altering colour, ••nd comes from Persia and the greater I dies; it is ••••so supposed it may be had from Africk, as well as ••sia, but questionless, there does not come that ••enty thence as from the other places.

There is also found in Germany, and Hungary, a kind of Lapis-Lazuli, but not fixt, tho as hard as the former; they call it Lesurstein, and its colour Asurbleau; but its colour changes in some time, and becomes Greenish; 'tis used however by Painters.

The sixt Lapis-Lazuli has great Vertues in Phy∣sick, and much more excellent ones than are ascri∣bed to it by most Persons, who indeed are ignorant of them, and so are many of the Learned too; but we'll pass these over here, and reserve them for a∣nother time in some other place. This hint however may serve to advise the Curious to pry into the Mat∣ter, and possibly discover its further Excellencies and Vertue.

'Tis called Vltra-marine, because brought to us from beyond Sea; or rather, because the first tha•• ever came into France, was out of the Kingdom o•• Cyprus, a Maritime Country; for so are those Coun∣tries called, which border on the Sea-Coasts.

Before you proceed to Extract your Vltra-marine take some account of the Manner, to know whethe•• the Stone be good, for unless it is singularly so, you'•••• lose your labour: Put pieces thereof on live Coal•• and blow them continually for an Hour, if they r••¦tain their first hardness and colour afterwards, yo•• may conclude them good, but if they crumble b••¦tween your Fingers, they are naught: It may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tried otherwise in an Iron-Ladle put into a Furna•••• with some of the Stone to heat, and so quench it•• strong Vinegar; if the Colour remains still uncha••••ged and splendid, you may assure your self '•• good.

When you have made this Tryal, calcine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which to do the easier, break the stone to piec•• as small Hazel-Nuts, wash them afterwards in wa•••• Water, and set them in a Crucible, on a Win•• Furnace, or into an Iron-Ladle to re-unite; th••

cast them into a glazed Earthen Vessel of distilled Vinegar to quench them in, do thus seven times, to prepare them by Calcination for Powdering, and to prevent their sticking to the Mortar.

Thus calcined, dry 'em well, and so powder them in a Stone-Mortar well cover'd, and accordingly searce it with the same caution, as Perfumers do their most delicate and finest Powders, lest the best should go off, and dispel its self in the Air: And thus pre∣serve this precious Powder with all imaginable care.

CHAP. CCXXVIII. To make a Liquid for Moistning and Grinding the Powder withal, &c.

TIS impossible to give all the Preparations for the Lapis-Lazuli in one Chapter, they are too ••edious for that purpose, and can't be so confined without Confusion; this we intimate to justifie our ••ivision thereof into several Chapters.

For moistening and grinding your aforesaid Pow∣••er of the Stone, take a Pound and half of running ••ater, and put this into a new Earthen-Pot, add 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it an Egg-shell full of raw Honey, boil it until it ••ave no more Scum; take the Pot off, and keep this ••ydromel, or Liquid for use in Bottles, as we shall ••ve occasion for hereafter.

This done, take four Scruples of the best Gum∣••ragon, grind it on your Marble, with some of the ••ydromel, and then put it into a Glass; add thereto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much Hydromel as you find convenient, to bring it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Violet-colour, so cover it, and preserve it for 〈◊〉〈◊〉: This Liquid is good for your Powder of Lapis-Lazuli;

if the Colour be too Violet, add the less hereof, if otherwise the more, as your Judgment, or Experience shall direct.

Put half a Pound of Powder at a time into a small Porphyry, or Marble Vessel, the larger the Mortar the worse, for you'll lose more, and be longer a grinding; pour leisurely by little and little thereon, some of your Violet Liquid, grind these together for a full Hour, still wetting it; you may use three or four Ounces of Liquid to the half Pound of Pow∣der, and you'll have it very good; you must take care of grinding it too long, for then it will lose its colour.

When 'tis thus ground, dry it on a Marble or Flat-stone, where the Sun does not come at all, co∣ver it well to preserve it from Dust; when 'tis dry, 'twill Powder easily between your Fingers, if it be rightly done; if so, let it alone on the Marble, but if it be clammy, or stick, take it off, for it has still some unctuosity of the Honey in it, which must be cleansed away by a Cement.

Your Lapis being thus dry, wash it well before you put it to the Cement, for which you must use a glazed Earthen Bason round above like a Bar∣ber's, and well glazed within, put your Lapis there∣in, and pour thereon some of the mild Lixivium in the next Chapter, as much as will rise above the Surface four Inches; wash the Lapis very well with your Hands, and then let it settle, and 'twill preci∣pitate: The Liquid being clear'd again, decant it into a large Copper, or Earthen-Vessel, then let the Lapis dry in a Shade in the same Vessel 'twas washed in, and spread it afterwards on the flat Marble, or Porphyry, and there let it lie until quite dry: Thus 'tis prepared for mixing with the Cement, of which we will give the Preparation in Chap. 231. and those next succeeding it.

CHAP. CCXXIX. To prepare a mild and a strong Lixivium for the Lapis-Lazuli.

WE have promised to give this Preparation here, and the manner of making hereof, which we will shew, together with another stronger, to wash the Lapis withal, when 'tis mixt with the Ce∣ment, as hereafter directed.

To make these Lixiviums, take ten handfuls of Vine-stalk-Ashes well searced; put this into a large Vessel that will hold thirty Pound of Water, with a Faucet at bottom; press the Ashes very well, and put to them twenty Pound of warm Water; when 'tis sunk to the bottom, open the Faucet, so as it may only drop into an Earthen-Vessel; when 'tis all come out, stop the hole, and strain this Lixivium through a Felt Strainer, and so keep it in a Glass, or glazed Pot well covered: This is the strong Lixivium.

Again, pour in on the same Ashes, the like quan∣tity of warm Water, and do as before, so you'll have an indifferent strong Lixivium, which keep as the former.

Do this a third time, and you'll have the mild Lixivium mentioned in the preceding Chapter.

These three are very useful both for moistening, and to draw the Powder of Lapis-Lazuli from the Cement; wherewith it must be mixed, as we shall shew in the succeeding Chapters, which Separation being sometimes hard to perform, we are obliged to have recourse to these Varieties of Lixiviums stron∣ger,

or weaker, as we find them convenient for the purpose.

You may yet make another Lixivium to take away the greasiness of the Cement, thus: Boil Calx of Tar∣tar, as much as you please, in clean Water, for a∣bout a quarter of an Hour, and keep it for use as the former. This is excellent for washing the Lapis-Lazuli with; it strengthens and improves the colour thereof, is good for the Itch, Scurvey, &c. and to take away the Witherings in the Fair Sex.

CHAP. CCXXX. The Form of the Glasses for preserving the Liquids in, which are employed on the Lapis-Lazuli.

THERE always remains some of your colour in the Waters, or Lixiviums, wherein the L••••••s-Lazuli is prepared throughout all the Process; you must therefore have a very large Vessel of Bra••••, or Earthen-Ware, glazed and polished very well at bot∣tom, wherein must be three Holes; one in the mid∣dle of the side, the next a little lower, and the last about two Inches from the bottem; stop these Holes without-side very close to prevent leakage.

Then pour all your Waters into this; tho you then perceive no colour at all, yet after ten Days you'll have it at bottom, whither it will descend gently; and to get it, you must go artificially to work, first opening the first Cock, or Hole, and let out the Wa∣ter above that, before you open the other two; and thus you may get the colour without muddying, or losing any by the Waters, which mix with the rest.

CHAP. CCXXXI. To make strong Cement to mix with Lapis-Lazuli, to separate the finer and better Stuff from the other.

ONE cannot so easily part the finer Lapis-Lazuli from its grosser parts, without making use of this Cement to unbind the parts: Take four Ounces of very pure and clear Venice-Turpentine; six Ounces of Rosin of the Pine, six Ounces of Grecian-Pitch, three Ounces of very good Mastick, three Ounces of fresh Wax, an Ounce and half of Linseed-Oyl cleansed, as shall be directed in Chap. 233.

Put the Turpentine into a new glazed Earthen-Pot, very clean, to dissolve over a slow Charcoal-Fire, and continue stirring it with a Wooden-Spatula, throw into this by degrees, the Rosin of the Pine, in small pieces, and stir it still very well; thus put in suc∣cessively the Pitch, the Mastick in Powder, and last of all the Wax sliced small, stirring all continually about to mix and incorporate: Take great care of your Fire, least the Cement should blaze, or burn, all the Ingredients being hot of themselves, and combustible: Having well incorporated them, pour in the Linseed-Oyl, stirring it as before, and so let it boil gently for a Quarter of an Hour.

To try whether the Cement be enough, drop some of it off the Spatula into a Vessel of cold Water; if it spread 'tis not enough; but if it do not, 'tis sufficiently boil'd; so take it off. Or else you may wet your Fingers, and take a drop thereof, roul and draw it out in length; if it snaps and breaks of it self, 'tis a sign that 'tis enough; take it off and pour it boiling hot into an Hypocrass-Bag steeped before

in hot Water; take care to let it go all through into a Vessel of cold Water; and for the better security, squeeze it along from top to bottom with two flat Sticks, that none may remain in your Bag; afterwards work it well with your Hands, till all the Water be drained from it, and because being hot it may stick to your Fingers, you may anoint them with some of the Linseed-Oyl.

The Cement being thus prepared, keep it in a Vessel of cold Water, shifting your Water every Day, or every second Day, and by this Method you may keep it for ten Years.

CHAP. CCXXXII. To make a weaker Cement for separating the Colours of Lapis-Lazuli.

THIS second Cement, which is the softer and milder, ought to be first employed on the Powder of Lapis-Lazuli; it draws the colour much quicker and better than the strong Cement, which ought not to be used till after the milder, the whole Secret of separating the Colours, consisting in using the Cements, for without a due care hereof, it can∣not be done perfect.

To make this Cement, you must take four Oun∣ces of very pure Turpentine, four Ounces of Rosin of Pine, six Ounces of Grecian-Pitch, one Ounce of fresh Wax, six Drams of Linseed-Oyl purified, mix and incorporate them successively as before; observe only that this is sooner done than the former, be∣cause 'tis weaker, and will give the colour soonest, therefore you must manage accordingly.

CHAP. CCXXXIII. To purifie Linseed-Oyl.

THE use we have for Linseed-Oyl in our Cement, obliges us to give this Preparation, and way of purifying it, as we promised, whereby 'tis made more fit for our purpose.

Take good and clear Linseed-Oyl, of the colour of Saffron, and put it into a Glass, shaped like an Oxe-horn, with an Hole at bottom to let out the Water, which you must mix with the Oyl, letting them settle until the Oyl rises all up∣most; then open the Hole, and let the Water out, and the Oyl remain behind; then shake the Oyl again, with more fresh Water, let it settle, and the Water run out, as before; do thus eight or ten times, till the Water comes out as clear as it went in, and so the Oyl will be pure and fit for your use; keep it well stopt in a Glass-Bottle. If you can't get Linseed-Oyl, you may use Oyl of Bitter-Almonds, without purifying, for it needs none; but take notice, the Linseed-Oyl is best of any, tho cheaper than t'other.

CHAP. CCXXXIV. How to incorporate the Powder of Lapis-Lazuli with the strong, or weaker Cement.

WE have given in Chap. 228. the way to pre∣pare the Powder for mixing with the Ce∣ment, to extract the Colours; we now come to shew how to mix it with the Cement, in order to extract the Vltra-marine from them for Painting.

Take a Pound of the Powder, and the like quan∣tity of Cement assigned in Chap. 231. observing al∣ways to take the first that was workt with the Hands; cut the Cement small, and the pieces being a little wet, put them into a glazed Earthen-Pot, o∣ver a Fire of red-hot Ashes, to melt, and take care it does not boil; if it should, you must prevent the the damage which it might cause, by putting in some Linseed-Oyl. The Cement being thus melted, anoint all your Spatula over, from the Handle downwards, with the same Oyl, and so put in the Powder by ve∣ry little quantities, and taking a great deal of time, that they may the better incorporate; and be sure to stir it all the while very well with the Spatula, so as to make it all alike, until it become like an Oynt∣ment, or Salve; then off with the Pot, and throw the Stuff boiling hot into an Earthen-Bason of cold Water, and at that very instant take off all that sticks to the sides of the Pot; when 'tis cold enough to be handled, if it appears well coloured, 'tis a sign you have work'd it well: This done, rub your Hand with Linseed-Oyl, and work it as they do a Paste of Bread, or Dough, for one Hour, that it may be

throughly compact. The longer you work it, the better and easier the colour may be drawn; after∣wards make it up like a Loaf, or Brick, and set it in an Earthen-Dish to dry, pouring thereon some fresh Water; let it steep for fifteen Days, the longer the better for extracting the Vltra-marine.

CHAP. CCXXXV. To Extract the Ultra-marine.

NOW we come to take out the Vltra-marine, from its Confinement to make it appear Tri∣umphant, and in its full Glory.

Take therefore the Loaf of Cement and Powder, washing it in the same Water extraordinary well with your Hands; weigh it to know the quantity of Oyl it requires, and put it into an Earthen-Bowl, or Dish, very smoothly glazed, rubbing first the Bot∣tom with your Linseed-Oyl; then pour in Water scarce warmed, until it arise two Inches above the Matter; let it stand in this condition a full quarter of an Hour (or less in the Spring-time;) pour this Water afterwards into the Vessel mentioned Chap. 230. adding more warm Water to your Matter, and so 'twill soften: Continue thus whilst there remains any Tincture thereon; by this means all the substance that is good for any thing, will be separated from the Cement, which cannot be done otherwise.

Whilst it is imbibed in the warm Water, you must move and roul it gently round with two Sticks, or Spatula's of Box, or any other well polished Wood rounded at the ends smooth like a Wallnut; let them be about an Ell long, and an Inch thick. Whenever you perceive the Matter stick to the bottom of your

Dish, rub your Hands with Linseed-Oyl, and stir it about leisurely so as to colour the Water, which you must put along with the former, in the mean time holding up the Matter with your Staves, lest it should stick to the Vessel.

Take notice that a little steeping at first will tinge the Water very much, and when the Cement is just yielding its colour, it will discover certain Bluish Streaks on the Water, like the Sun-Rays, and then you must strain this Water out among the other, through a Scarce, that the grosser part of the Ce∣ment may remain; afterwards pour in by little and little the fresh warm Water, stirring the Cement easily, that it may not dilate too much, and give its colour all at once. After you have thus stir'd it a∣bout five or six times, close and amass it anew, by which means you'll see how much 'tis diminished, and what quantity of colour it has given.

If the Lapis be good and right, you'll find it will the first Steepings yield about four or five Ounces of Vltra-marine, which keep apart by its self as the best and finest colour, tho it appear grosser than the others of this sort, by reason of the Gold-coloured Veins, which are peculiarly therein.

For the second, whereof you'll have three or four Ounces, you must follow the Processes aforemen∣tioned, this indeed will be finer than the o∣ther, but not so good a Colour; keep it also by it self.

Draw off a third, and this will be still siner than the former, but paler and more bright co∣loured. You must still pursue the same Directions to extract it, letting your Water be but half luke∣warm, and take care to manage the Cement dex∣trously with the Spatula's, and so preserve the Co∣lour apart.

You may extract a fourth Colour after this rate, but the Water must be hotter, and you must press the Cement very well with the Spatula's to squeeze out the Colour, and if meer Water will not do, make use of the mild Lixivium of Chap. 229. this last Colour will be Grayish, or Ash-colour'd, and of no great value, and therefore not at all to be mixt with any of the rest.

Observe here that you can't take up less than eight Hours full, to extract the Colours, nor than ten or twelve to allow the Water for setling, and if you perceive the Colour does not come out free e∣nough with the warm Water, add a third part of our mild Lixivium, and if that does not do, use all Lixivium, but let it be cold, and when that fails too of effecting it sufficiently, you must make a Lixi∣vium of Vine-stalk Ashes, and this being strained, let it boil for half a quarter of an Hour, until it be sharp enough to bite your Tongue; and then let it settle and grow clear; this is your last shift for extracting your Colour, and with this heated, wash your Cement very well, and set it aside: The whole design of all this trouble, is only to serve for obtaining the greater quantity of Vltra-ma∣rine, and this consists in the goodness of the La∣pis Lazuli and the Cement, which the Circumspecti∣on and care taken in all their Preparations must advance.

CHAP. CCXXXVI. The Method of cleansing the Ultra-marine when 'tis se∣parated from the Cement.

AFTER you have extracted all your Colours out of the Cement, and the Water quite setled and separated from them, pour on some of the mild Lixivium before prescribed, and so wash them with your Hands (but don't rub it between them) thus you'll take away all the Grease of the Cement; af∣terwards wash it three or four times in fair Water, and let the Waters settle well before you put them into their proper Vessels.

You may else another way purge the Vltra-marine, thus. Take the Yolks of Pullets-Eggs, that have been fed only with Corn, and not with Greens, prick these with a Pin, and so moisten the Colours, knead∣ing the Mass with your Hands, and washing it after∣wards with your mild Lixivium, until the Lixivium falls off clear again. This done, wash them three or four times over with fair Water, letting the Wa∣ters settle well before you put them into their Ves∣sels.

This last way of purifying the Vltra-marine, is mighty effectual; but here is another help to be u∣sed with it, which is a very great Secret, and per∣formed thus: After the Colours are quite washed ac∣cording to former direction, as well as possible, you must cast therein by little and little, a Bull's-Gall, rubbing it by degrees with your Hands; so wash them often in clear Water, and you'll have the Co∣lour in full perfection.

CHAP. CCXXXVII. To strain off the Ultra-marine already Washt and Purified.

IT is necessary to strain off the Vltra-marine, and the rest of the Colours, that if any Grease, or Unctuosity of the Cement remain, it may be taken quite away, for these Colours require a Perfect and Extraordinary Purifica∣tion.

For this Purpose, take a fine Searce, and pour thereon the last Waters, with which you washed the Vltra-marine, and so strain them afterwards through another fine Searce, and a third time through Red Quintain, or Crape; but you must ob∣serve when you strain them, to let them stand till you perceive them limpid and clear, and so soak off the Water dextrously with a Spunge, and be sure not to strain them promiscuously all toge∣ther.

This being done to all the Waters, let your Co∣lours settle in their proper Vessels, and dry in the Shade; when dry, put them into little Leather∣Bags; tie these close, rubbing and pressing them with your Hands; this will make them very sub∣tile, and when the Bags are opened, they'll shew much fairer than before.

CHAP. CCXXXVIII. To Correct the Colours just before prepared.

FEW Persons, unless such as are very curious of their Work, make any use hereof, because of the time it takes up, tho it would turn very much to their account; for one Ounce of this Colour cor∣rected, will go farther than three that are not.

If you would make your Colours just before pre∣pared, much finer and effectual than they are, mix them again with a strong Cement, and let them re∣main therein for three Days; afterwards proceed according to the last directions, to separate them a∣gain; reiterate this over again, and you'll have them exceeding good, and tho they diminish some∣what in weight, yet that Loss will be repayed consi∣derably in the Beauty and Value.

CHAP. CCXXXIX. Another Way to make Ultra-marine, and draw off the Colours with more Expedition.

THIS Method of making Vltra-marine, is much more ready than the former; and Experience will shew whether the Colour be a gainer or loser thereby.

Take a Pound of Lapis Lazuli, calcine it in a Crucible, and quench it afterwards in Vinegar, so let it dry, and then reduce it to a very fine Pow∣der; grind it on a Porphyry, with fair Water, and

so set it in a glazed Earthen Vessel in the Shade, un∣til it be dry; if you find it coagulated all in a Mass, you must Powder it again.

This done, make a Cement of three Ounces of Grecian-Pitch, four Ounces of Rosin of the Pine, three Ounces of Mastick, three Ounces of Fran∣kincense, two Ounces of Oyl-Olive; set these over a slow Fire in a small Earthen Pot, into which pour first the Oyl, and when that's hot, put in the Rosin, then the Pitch, then the Incense, and last of all the Mastick, stirring them continually with the Wooden Spatula, and let them boil a little.

Having made the Cement, get another Earthen Vessel, and put thereinto the Lapis Lazuli, and pour on it the Cement hot, stirring the whole together with the Spatula very leisurely, until they perfectly incorporate; let this stand a whole Day, and when you would draw off the Colours, pour thereon boil∣ing Water, stirring it very smartly.

When it begins to cool, pour it out, and so put in more hot Water; do thus till the Water begins to draw off the Colour, and so continue until it be quite extracted; you may distinguish the Waters, and so set them apart, and obtain the Variety of Colour, as in the former way.

If your Colour seems to be clammy, or nasty, you may correct it thus. Add thereto Tartar dissolved in Water, as much as will drown it, and let it re∣pose for one Day at least, so wash it in warm Wa∣ter, and you will by that means have it very correct, and well purified.

CHAP. CCXL. Another Way to make Ultra-marine.

GRANTING the two former ways to be suffici∣ent, we will however here give a third, which we believe may as well be pleasing to those who are not satisfied with the other; as to such Persons as have a Curiosity for these sorts of Work; and thus we propose to proceed.

Not to discourse of the Ways to try the goodness of the Lapis Lazuli, which we have mentioned suffi∣ciently already, you must break it into gross pieces, as small as Nuts, then set these in a Crucible into the Furnace, till they redden with heat, and so cast them into cold Water; do thus six or seven times, and so reduce them to impalpable Powder in a Por∣phyry-Mortar well covered over, lest the Powder which is very subtile, should disperse away into the Air, and then searce it with a fine Searce also co∣vered.

After this, take of Rosin of Pines, ordinary black Pitch, Mastick, fresh Wax, and Turpentine, of each three Ounces, of Incense, and Linseed-Oyl, each one Ounce, melt all together in an Earthen Vessel, stirring them very well, that they may mix; this Stuff being well incorporated, cast it into Water, and keep it for use.

To each Pound of Lapis Lazuli, add ten Ounces thereof, and set them to dissolve in a Pot over a small Fire, first melting the Cement, and then cast∣ing on the Lapis Lazuli by little and little, observing such an order in this, and continually stirring the Mass with a Stick, that they may mix insensibly to∣gether;

afterwards cast the Mass into an Earthen Vessel of cold Water, and anointing your Hands with Linseed-Oyl, mould it up into a number of Cakes, or Rolls, which leave in cold Water for five Days, shifting the Water every other Day.

This done, put them into a large and very clean glazed Earthen Vessel, pouring on them some clean hot Water; when that cools, pour in more hot, and do thus till the Pastils soften with the heat of the Wa∣ter: This done, put them into hot Water, and let them be until it receive a Bluish colour; strain this Wa∣ter to reserve the grosser pieces, and so put it into another glazed Earthen Vessel very clean, adding more to the Pastils, which strain through a fine Searce afterwards among the former; continue this until all the Colour be extracted, and no more re∣main behind.

Your Water must be only warm, otherwise it will occasion a Blackness in the Colour, which is to be taken care of, and imports very much.

All your coloured Waters being in the Vessel, you may cleanse them of any Unctuosity, by reposing them for twenty four Hours, in which time the Co∣••our will stick to the bottom; then you may pour off ••he Water gently into another Vessel, and it will carry off the Grease along with it; strain it after∣wards into the Vessel where the Colour is again, through a fine Searce, and all the Grease and Nasti∣••ess will be left behind; do thus thrice, stirring the Colour very well every time you return the Water ••o it, that the Filth and Grease may ascend from it, ••nd it will always stay in straining on the Searce be∣••ind the Water.

This done, let the Colour precipitate entirely, ••nd so pour off all the Water very leisurely, for fear ••f disturbing it; dry this Colour, and you'll have ••elicate Vltra-marine.

If you would imitate this Colour at little charge, make use of our Blue-Enamel, after the same man∣ner, and instead of the Lapis Lazuli, observing with∣out exception, the like Regimen and Prescription just now delivered in every respect, and by this means you'll have a very pretty agreeable Colour to Paint with, and for tinging of Glass.

Many other Ways might be given here for making Vltra-marine, besides these we have already laid down, but because the principal part of the Prepa∣ration is in every one the same; we look upon these as sufficient, and that it would be but needless to re∣peat any more.

That the Lapis Lazuli may be made by Art as fine and good as the Natural, which is gotten from the Mines, we allow, and should freely assign the Me∣thod for it, if there were a scarcity thereof in France, but since we have of it in abundance, 'tis much better to employ the time in working the usual way, than spend it unprofitably by taking a more tedious Method.

CHAP. CCXLI. To make German-Blue.

NOTWITHSTANDING we have in the pre∣ceding Chapter shewn how to imitate very nearly the Vltra-marine Blue, with ordinary Ena∣mel, whereof we have given the Preparation in Chap. 190. yet we will shew too the Way to make German-Blue by Art, which is a Colour very fine and convenient to Paint withal.

Take four Ounces of Mercury, or Quick-silver, si•• Ounces of Flower of Sulphur, and a Pound of Sal-Armoniack;

pound these very well in a Stone-Mor∣tar, till all the Mercury be quite suppress'd, and no longer precipitable, then put the Mass into a Glass Body, the bottom luted up to the middle; set this on a very slow Ash-Fire, let it stand uncovered until all the moisture be exhaled, then head it very close, and so improve the heat by degrees, until you bring the Mass to a Sublimation; and thus you'll have a very fine and delicate Azure, or German-Blue, which reduce to very soft Powder on a Marble, or Porphi∣ry, keeping it afterwards for uses in Painting.

The End of the Tenth BOOK.