feculent matter should be skimmed off the surface, and the liquor be suffered to boil very slowly, till the water be completely evaporated; an effect which may be readily ascertained, if the height of the oil in the vessel has been previously measured. After the two different ingredients have been incorporated in the manner above directed, and have become cool, they ought to be diluted with oil of turpentine. In the course of two or three days, all the coarse particles will subside; and the clear liquor should then be carefully decanted, or rather filtred, through fine linen. Thus, a white and transparent varnish may be obtained: it is of extensive use for all light grounds, and is remarkably improved by age. If it be required of a harder consistence, it will be advisable to employ equal quantities of white amber and gum-copal, instead of the latter substance alone.
Another excellent white varnish may be made, by infusing 8 oz. of pulverized sandarach, and 2 oz. of Venice turpentine; with 32 oz. of highly-rectified spirit of wine, in a glass vessel, the orifice of which must be covered with a bladder, and pierced with a pin that is suffered to remain there. The whole is exposed for 8 days to the rays of the sun, or in warm sand, near a fire, and frequently shaken. When all the ingredients are dissolved, it should be allowed to stand at rest, till the liquor become pellucid; after which it must be decanted into anotner vessel, and will then be fit for any purpose required.
A yellow varnish may be prepared by dissolving separately, 2 oz. of pure gum-lac, in 48 oz. of alkohol, apd 1 oz. of dragon's-blood in the same quantity of spirit: the solutions must then be mixed, and 3 grains of yellow-wood be added: the whole is then suffered to digest for 12 hours in a gentle heat; when the liquor should be filtred through blotting-paper, and preserved for use, in bottles closely stopped.—This preparation is chiefly employed for imparting a gold colour to brass, or iron; and, when applied to leather that has previously been ornamented with tin-foil, it communicates a similar colour.
All varnishes ought to be secured from the dust: when used, they mast be laid on lightly, but quickly, with a clean brush: the substance, thus coated, should then be exposed, if in summer, to the heat of the sun, or in a warm room, being covered with a glass case, to exclude dust; and, when perfectly dry, they ought to be polished with a smooth piece of pumice-stone.—See also Pales; and, in the Appendix, article Iron.
VEAL, or the flesh of calves, is highly esteemed, on account of its tender fibres; but these animals ought to be fed chiefly with milk, or hay-tea, and to be at least six weeks old, before they are used as food. Nor should the calf be confined in a dark place, or bled frequently, during the short period of its existence, with the luxurious view of rendering the flesh whiter and more palatable.
Veal is nutritious and cooling, so that it may, in moderation, be preferably eaten by persons leading sedentary lives; by convalescents; or those who labour under scorbutic complaints, or hemorrhages. It ought, however, always to be roasted; for boiled veal is less nourishing and less digestible.
VEGETABLE KINGDOM, a
