Salmon, William: Polygraphice: Or, The Arts of Drawing, Engraving, Etching, Limning, Painting, Washing, Varnishing, Gilding, Colouring, Dying, Beautifying and Perfuming: In Four Books ... To which is added A Discourse of Perspective and Chiromancy (London, 1675)

Chap.8. Ofufmg the hard Varnifh. C \

CHAP. VIIL
The way md manner of ufivg the hard
Farm(h»
I. YYAving well heat the polished plate over a
jLJ. Chafing dish of coals, take some of thefirst
varnish with a little slick and put a drop ofitonthe
top of your singer, with which lightly touch the
plate at equal dittances, laying on the varnish equally,
and heating the plate again as it grows cold, keeping
it carefully fromdusi or filth; then with the ball of
your thumb tap it upon the plate '■> still wiping your
hand overall, to make it more smooth and equal.
And here beware that neither the varnijh be too thic!^
upon the plate-) nor your hand [meaty*
II. Then take a great lighted candle burning clear,
with a short muff, ( placing the corner of phc plate
against a wall) hold the varnished side downward o-
ver the candle, as close as you can, so it couch not
the varnish, guiding the flame all over, till it is all
perfectly black, which you mull keep from dull or
tilth till it is dry.
III. Over a fire of Charcoals hang the varnished
plate to dry with the varnish upwards, which will
smoak j when the smoak abates, take away the plate,
and with a pointed Hick scratch near the side thereof,
and if the varnish easily comes off, hang it over the
fire again a little, so long till the varnish will not too
easily come off*? then take it from the fire'and let it
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