The  process,  or  models  operandi,  of  the  engraver


PROCESS   OF  THE   ENGRAVER.  129

is  as  follows : — The  workman,  for  the  most  part,
uses  only  the  ordinary  burin  or  lozenge-shaped
graver  invented  by  Draper,  together  with  several
small  gouges  and  needles  for  scooping  out  hollows
or  making  very  fine  tracery,  a  sharp-edged  scraper
similar  to  a  small  three-square  file  sharpened  at
the  point,  for  removing  the  burr  raised  by  the
graver,  and  a  Turkey-stone  upon  which  he
sharpens  his  tools.  He  also  uses  a  kind  of  cement,
in  which  he  secures  the  work  previous  to  its
manipulation,  consisting  of  a  mixture  of  Burgundy
pitch,  plaster-of-Paris,  resin,  and  beeswax  in  the
following  proportions : —

Burgundy  pitch   ....  4  parts

Resin 4     jj

Plaster-of-Paris    .         .         .         .  2     ,,

Beeswax      .        .        .        .        .  2     ,,

Place  these  articles  in  an  earthen  pipkin,  or  other
suitable  vessel,  and  melt  carefully,  stirring  the
mixture  well  until  thoroughly  incorporated ;  then
pour  into  a  vessel  of  cold  water  already  provided  ;
when  the  mass  is  cool  enough  to  touch  with  the
hands,  it  should  be  pressed,  rolled,  and  kneaded
together,  in  order  to  discharge  the  water  con-
tained therein.  Should  it  turn  out  brittle,  return
it  to  the  pipkin,  and  add  more  beeswax;  put  it
through  the  same  process  as  before,  and  work  it

G  3


1 30  ENGRAVING.
