yielded. But the fibrous structure of the wood only permits a certain decree of yielding. To obtain a deep relief, something must be used, which, while it resists somewhat, or is difficult to penetrate, must also be gradually penetrable to almost any extent. For this purpose make a bed of brick dust, or plaster of Paris, fine sand or ashes, or even dust, which is to be thoroughly mixed with pitch (or rosin), in equal parts with the dust, and a very little tallow or turpentine. Those who supply jewelers’ tools generally keep this composition for sale, at twenty-five cents a pound, in cakes. When the brass is laid on a bed of this, it can be indented very easily on either side, and by turning alternately. If you have a sheet of brass or thin silver cup or plate or goblet, or salver, you can fill it with the melted pitch, or "back it," and can then work easily on the outside. If you wish to raise a bunch of grapes an inch or two inches, you must hammer them out from the inside, and then, to finish the work, turn it again, and execute the more delicate parts from the outside. * * * * * * It is advisable, after preparing the bed of pitch, to give it the thinnest possible coat of oil. This causes the metal to work better on it. If there is too much oil it will not adhere. It is often necessary in heavy metal and in working deep relief, to anneal the work. This is effected by placing it in an oven bed of coals till it becomes soft—not in the least melted, however,—and then removing it very carefully with pincers or pliers It was with such pincers, usually confounded with tongs, that Saint Dunstan,
"As the story goes,
Once took the devil by the nose,"
while the Saint was annealing metal. Whoever has annealed knows how vexing it is to be interrupted just at the critical moment, and the Evil One, knowing this,
