applied to metals such as copper, brass, or tin or silver foil, they
give them a more agreeable colour; indeed, the common metals, when
coated with them acquired a lustre approaching to that of the
precious metals, and hence these varnishes are much employed in
manufacturing imitations of gold and silver. Put four ounces of the
best gum gamboge into 32 ozs. of spirits of turpentine, 4 ozs. of
dragon's blood into the same quantity of spirits of turpentine as
the gamboge, and 1 oz. of anatto into 8 ozs. of the same spirits.
The three mixtures being made in different vessels, they should then
be kept for about a fortnight in a warm place, and as much exposed
to the sun a possible; at the end of that time they will be fit for
use; and you can procure any tints you wish by making a composition
from them, with such proportions of each liquor as practice and the
nature of the colour you are desirous of obtaining will point out.
Changing varnishes may likewise be employed, with very good effect,
for furniture, such as picture frames, &c.--See Lackers.


103. GOLD LACKER OR VARNISH

In using the changing varnish or any of these lackers, for picture
frames for instance, lay them over with tin or silver leaf, by means
of plaster of Paris glue, or cement of some kind, that the foil may
be perfectly adherent to the wood, then apply your varnish; apply as
many coats as may suit your taste, and if it be the gold lacker you
use it has the appearance of being laid with gold leaf, and if the
pale brass lacker, of being laid with brass, &c., and if you use
the changing varnish you may make it just what colour you wish, by
mixing the three materials in different proportions. For making gold
lacker, put into a clean 4 gallon tin 1 lb. ground turmeric, 1-1/2