Then  carefully  raise  one  leaf  with  the
blade  of  a  knife,  and  place  it  on  the
cushion^  gently  breathing  on  it  to
flatten  it  out.  If  it  curls  up,  work,  it
about  with  the  kiiife-biade  until  it  lies
flat.  Then  replace  the  knife  in  its  loop
under  the  cusnion,  and  taking  the  tip
pass  it  lightly  over  your  hair,  thus
acquiring  sufficient  greasiness  to  enable
the  gold  to  stick  to  it.  Lay  the  hairy
portion  of  the  tip  upon  the  gold-leaf,
and  then  raising  it  apply  it  to  the
sized  surface.  As  in  sizing,  work  from
left  to  right,  and  be  especially  careiiil
to  let  each  leaf  overlap  slightly,  so  as
to  avoid  gaps  and  spaces.  Lay  on
whole  leaves  as  far  as  tne  space  permits,
and  then  proceed  to  gild  the  curves  ana
comers  which  need  smaller  pieces.
Place  a  leaf  flat  and  smooth  on  the
cushion,  and  then  taking  the  knife  in
the  ii;;ht  hand  draw  the  edge  easily
and  evenly  along  it  with  a  gentle  press-
ure. Divide  the  leaf  into  as  many
pieces  as  required,  and  lay  on  as  before.
