Simmer the whole for about one hour, then pass through a fine hair sieve or piece of linen. Use this whilst warm.
- (2.) 1 gallon of water.
- 1 ⁄ 2 lb. of best glue.
- 2 ounces of powdered alum.
Simmer and use as above.
- (3). 1 quart of water.
- 2 1 ⁄ 2 ounces of isinglass.
- 2 drachms of alum.
Simmer the whole for about one hour, strain as above.
It must be remembered that a size too strong in glue or isinglass is liable to make the paper too brittle; again, some papers require a stronger size than others.
(4). A size that may be used cold, and is recommended in France, to keep at hand and to use when only a single leaf requires sizing, such as when a name has been erased from a title-page, is as follows:—Boil about a quart of water in a saucepan. Whilst boiling, add about two oz. of shellac and 1 ⁄ 2 oz. of borax; the borax will dissolve the shellac, which will be held in suspension; the whole must then be passed through a fine hair sieve, or piece of linen, to rid it of all pieces or impurities. This will keep a very long time, and may be used over and over again.
Great care must be exercised that not too much shellac is used, or the paper will be rendered transparent. |161|
MANIPULATION.
Dust.—The careful application of india-rubber or bread will generally take away all dust. In using india-rubber, hold the sheet or leaf down by the left hand, and rub gently away from it. If the rubber is used in a to and fro motion, there is great danger of the sheet doubling back and breaking. The bread may be used in a circular motion; and if a book be cleaned from dust by this means without pulling to pieces, all crumbs must be brushed away from the back very carefully before closing the book.