"We will turn our courage to Braynford—westward,
My bird of the night—to the Pigeons."—Ben Jonson's Alchymist.
See Faulkner's History of Brentford, p. 144.]
Captain Cook.—Wanted, the pedigree of Capt. Jas. Cook (the circumnavigator), and full account of his lineal and collateral descendants.
Wardale G. McAllister.
Philadelphia.
[Dr. Kippis's Life of Captain Cook may be consulted with advantage. It is carefully compiled, and will be found in the fourth volume of his Biographia Britannica, as well as in a separate 4to. volume, 1788. For the death of the eldest and only surviving son of the celebrated navigator, see Gentleman's Magazine for February, 1794, p. 182., and p. 199. of the same volume.]
Varnish for old Books.—Can any of your readers oblige me with a good receipt for varnishing the bindings of old books? Bees-wax and turpentine, used very thin, is a tolerably good one; but I am desirous of learning another.
Investigator.
[A little common glue-size, made thin, would be better than bees-wax and turpentine. The best varnish that can be used is that made in France, and may be had at Barbe Lechertier's, Artists' Colourman, 60. Regent's Quadrant. It is called French varnish for leather, and is sold at 14s. per pound. There is also a common varnish for leather, which can be purchased