The gold is taken from the book by merely opening each leaf and gently blowing the gold out on the cushion. With the knife a leaf of gold is taken to the front of the cushion, laid squarely, and deftly blown out flat, cut to any size required by a sharp jerking, saw-like movement of the knife not like ordinary cutting, the knife is then transferred to the left hand, and the tip to the right, the gold is then taken up by the tip and laid upon the work. The whole process is extremely simple after practice. Breathing must be carried on gently through the nostrils, so as not to disarrange the gold. When blowing a leaf flat, aim a smart jet of air right into the center of the leaf, sudden and short. When cutting, lay the edge of the knife, which must not be keen, on the gold leaf firmly, give a little jerk, lift it up, and the gold will separate. Take care not to cut the leather of the cushion. The knife must not be sharp enough to do so. If the gold does not at once adhere to the tip, pass the same lightly over the hair or beard to slightly grease it; this also sets up a magnetic action which assists to hold the gold. It must not adhere too firmly to the tip, or the gold will tear in transferring itself to the gold size. Always allow each leaf to lay 1⁄8 inch in laying, to secure a good joint. Use whole leaves wherever possible, and fault up every hole and crevice before dabbing down. Well press down all joints or there will be a slight gap apparent at the junction.
In gilding a plain surface, hammer well down with a firm touch and a good cotton wool pad before skewing off, and then skew with a soft new stencil tool, using a circular motion, and polish with a soft piece of cotton wool. Laying gold upon ordinary oil or Japan gold size is sometimes done by a process of transferring. This process is economical and useful for outside work, or for etched and partial gilt work. To accomplish the process, the gold must be what is known as transfer gold, gold leaf which has been put upon tissue paper. Sheets of thin tissue paper are cut into con-
