Use the black liquid a little stronger than for the last, and omit the red.
BLACK.
For common purposes, the black may be formed in the way adopted for other colours; but, in many instances, it is necessary to produce a colour having the appearance of japan, and which will require more labour and attention.
Wash the book over with brown till a dark shade is formed; then, with a piece of woollen cloth, apply the black liquid mixed with japan, which will produce a beautiful black. This colour should have a good coat of vellum-size before glairing. Or it may be better to finish off with the varnish given in another part of the work.
Nutgalls, copperas, and gum-arabic, are used by many, and will be found to produce a good and bright colour.
GOLD MARBLES, LANDSCAPES, ETC.
These designs, if properly executed, are the most beautiful that can be imagined. The labour and care, however, requisite, must ever confine them to superior bindings, for which a high price is given, to indemnify the workman for the time required to produce the proper effect. The imitation of the gold marbles is not an easy task; but a knowledge of the art of painting, and a clever management of the brush, will enable the workman to imitate the figure of the marble so true to nature as to be scarcely distinguishable.
GOLD MARBLE.
This marble, which will not require the ability to execute as those following it, is the invention of M. Berthé, senior, bookbinder of Paris, and may be executed on any kind of uniform substance. Take a piece of cloth, exceeding the size of the volume, and fold it equally; lay it, thus folded, evenly upon a board, and then open the other half, and cover the board; spread, upon the half towards the left, gold leaf to the size of the cover, allowing such portion as the roll intended to be worked on it may take, which will be a saving of gold; then refold the cloth on the gold, and press the hand above, without moving the cloth, so as to divide the gold into a number of small pieces. The gold being thus prepared, moisten the side of the volume with glaire mixed with water in equal proportion, and place it on the cloth, pressing above firmly with the hand. Care being taken not to disarrange it, turn over the volume, cloth, and board, and take the latter off, replacing it with a sheet of paper, and rubbing smartly above, so as to attach the whole of the gold to the cover. After this the cloth must be removed, and the gold will be found equally fixed; to further insure which lay on a sheet of paper, and rub well with the palm of the hand.