Fund, under a proviso, that they || content to be in Westminster Aberect a monument to my memory bey, until a more honourable place by Chantrey. I shall be perfectly of deposit for my body can be found. PLATE 6.-LITHOGRAPHIC SPECIMEN. WE this month present our read- || and is saturated with carbonic acid, ers with a specimen of the lithographic art, which will be found particularly useful to ladies in painting and ornamenting workboxes, cabinets, &c. At the same time, we cannot do better than give room to another extract from the work of M. Senefelder, of which we spoke a few months since. He is, as our readers are aware, the inventor of the new and most useful art of engraving upon stone, and his book contains a full and satisfactory account of the whole process by which the operations are conducted. Our quotation of this month is from Chapter II. and refers more particularly to the preparation of the chemical ink, one of the most important requisites in the accomplishment of the work. "MANNER OF PREPARING THE CHEMICAL INK. || which renders it less fit to dissolve the greasy substances, it is best not to add the other half of the soap till after the burning, and to keep the composition over a coal fire, at such a degree of heat as is sufficient for the dissolution of the soap. This done, a small quantity of the composition may be taken on a clean knife, in order to ascertain whether it dissolves easily in cold water. If the soap is good, the prescribed quantity is always sufficient; but if the alkali in it is not strong and pungent enough, a small quantity of soap may be added, till it is seen that the ink easily dissolves in water. The lamp-black, which must be of the finest quality, and previously burnt on the fire in a close vessel, till yellow smoke no longer issues from it, must now be added to the composition, stirring it constantly all the while. When all has been well mixed, and worked up till it gradually becomes cool, the composi tion is then taken out of the saucepan, when any shape may be given to it. Most of it ought to be made "All the different ingredients of the composition of the ink, except the soap, of which only one half is taken, are put together in an iron saucepan, and exposed to a strong fire till the whole of the mass ignites. When the quantity is re-into small cylinders or sticks, and duced to one half, the saucepan is in this dry state it is preserved for carefully covered, or put into a occasional use. pailful of water, to extinguish the flame and cool the substance. "Here it is necessary to add the following general observations: "The reason why only one half "1. Under the denomination of of the soap is added is, that the al-soap, is understood the common kali, in the violent heat, unites bet-soap prepared from tallow and soap ter with the other substances. As lees: Venetian or oil soap is not in this process it loses its power, so good for ink, as it renders it Vol. VIII. No. XLIII. E more slimy when dissolved in water, and does not resist so well the action of aqua-fortis. "2. For colouring the ink, there may be used, besides lamp-black, indigo, blue lake, vermilion, and red ochre, and various other colours, provided they do not alter the nature of the soap, which will be the case if they consist of neutral or other salts. The lamp-black, if not previously burnt as abovementioned, contains a great quantity of pyroligneous acid, which unites with the alkali, neutralizes it, and thus prevents it from dissolving the greasy substances. It is, therefore, very material to burn or roast the lamp-black, before it is used, over a strong fire, by the action of which the acid escapes in the form of a yellow smoke. "Another sort of black is preferable to this burnt or roasted lamp-black. It is prepared from animal grease or wax, or from a composition of ox-tallow and gumpenzoe. For this purpose, the tallow is melted and poured into a common lamp with a cotton wick; then the lamp is lighted, and placed under an iron or brass plate, on which the black collects. From time to time the black is scraped off with a knife, and preserved in a covered vessel, till the necessary quantity is obtained. This black is very fine and mild, and so strong, that with one ounce of it as much can be done as with three ounces of the common lamp-black. The ink prepared with this black is particularly fine and liquid. on the stone, and to produce thick and coarse lines. The smaller the quantity of lamp-black in the ink, the finer the lines are; but, as it is not so visible, it is more difficult to work with it. "3. For dissolving the ink, distilled water is best; pure rain-water, or, if this cannot be had, pure soft river-water, will do in case of need. If the rain-water is old and putrid, the solution is apt to become thick and slimy. "4. The igniting and burning of the ingredients is not absolutely necessary, but it contributes much to render the ink of a superior quality for use. 66 5. It is only when shellac enters into the composition that it is necessary to burn the ingredients well, as this substance does not fully dissolve, except in a very considerable heat. ́ "The shellac, which in China and the East Indies is prepared by an insect belonging to the genus of the bee, possesses the quality of melting in a moderate heat, but does not dissolve in any sort of animal grease, as tallow, butter, oil, wax, &c. if not previously freed from the acid which belongs to it; and this can only be done by a violent fire. If shellac is melted with oil or grease, it remains, at first, at the bottom of the vessel; if the heat is increased to such a degree as to ignite the ingredients, it begins to swell, and to cover the surface in the form of a spongy mass. The heat still increasing, it dissolves at last entirely. As soon as "In general it is to be observed, it has entirely dissolved, it is time that the greater the quantity of to take the vessel from the fire, and lamp-black used in the composito cover it well, in order to extinguish the flame. tion of the ink, and the blacker the ink is, the more it is apt to run "6. None of the above-men of the thickness of cream or oil: if it is too thick, it is difficult to work with it; if too thin, it does tioned compositions of ink can be kept long in the liquid state, as in a few days it becomes slimy, and unfit for use. It is, therefore, bet-not resist the aqua-fortis. A very ter to preserve the ink in a dry state, in which it does not experience any change for years; and to dissolve a small quantity of it, as often as required, by rubbing it down in a clean vessel or cup: if a sufficient quantity is thus obtained. a few drops of water may be added, and, by rubbing it with the finger, it will soon be dissolved. The ink is then fit for immediate use. "7. In dissolving the ink in water, it is material to obtain the necessary degree of liquidity. A good ink must not contain undissolved particles, and ought to be few trials are sufficient to teach the student a correct proportion in this. A good artist will do well to prepare, every day, a sufficient portion of ink: if, during the work, it becomes too thick, as sometimes will happen, the addition of one or two drops of water will remedy this sufficiently." These are the general observations on the use of the chemical or alkalic ink: some other particulars shall hereafter be mentioned in the description of the different manners. DIALOGUES OF THE LIVING. we have nothing to do with the city now. Sir James. I beg pardon for my error, but I assure you it was unintentional: when I spoke of the On the pleasures of country retire ment in Spring and Summer-The question discussed, whether fashionable persons ought to go into the country before the adjournment or prorogation of Parliament--La-city, I alluded generally to the metropolis, including all its suburbs. dy Blue's opinion upon the subject, with incidental observations on winter amusements and employmentsOn Lectures, and on evening Con versaziones. Scene. Hyde Park. Lady Candlewick. Suburbs again, Sir James! I am astonished that you are so extremely ungenteel as to suppose that I and Sir Christo Persons.-Lady CANDLEWICK, Lady BLUE, and pher reside in the suburbs. This it is to have had the misfortune, by parental compulsion, to marry a citizen, and a person formerly in trade, although only in the wholesale way. Besides, you know that he has so long quitted business, and retired into Sackville-street. hope you consider Sackville-street quite out of the beat of the ordi"nary vulgar. I Sir James, Oh, certainly! Your || of opinion, that the country cannot neighbours are some of the gayest be delightful until parliament has and most fashionable people in the risen. world; and to do your ladyship justice, you are not a whit behind them. Lady Candlewick. There, Sir James, you prove both your taste and discernment. I am proud of the good opinion you entertain of me. Sir James. And it is this very circumstance, of your admirable attention to such matters, that makes me wonder that your ladyship and Sir Christopher should so long remain in London. Lady Candlewick. Certainly it cannot. I confess, for my part, that I am very fond of the country; but then it must be at the proper time, not when all genteel people are in London. Sir James. But I did not know that Sir Christopher Candlewick was in parliament. Lady Candlewick. He is not, I know-the more the pity; he did all he could to get in; it cost him about 6000l. and at last he was obliged to give up the contest. Sir James. No doubt it is a national misfortune. Lady Candlewick. It is indeed; for all persons of any figure and appearance now get into parliament: it gives them additional consequence; and when the husband is an M. P. the wife can with more propriety take the lead in all fashionable parties. Indeed, Sir Christopher's ill success was a grie Lady Candlewick. The town is yet exceeding full of the genteelest families, is it not? I would not for the world be guilty of so gross a piece of ill-breeding as to remain in this smoky place when all the rest of the beau monde have quitted it. But Lady Slipshod, Sir David Saunter, Mrs. Glibb, and two or three more, who understand what is ton, the other night, at a rout at Lady Ape-airs', were agree-vous disappointment :-but those ing that it would be quite ridiculous to forsake London at present. Sir James. And why? Is not the country at this moment in its fullest verdure? and, above all, do not the fineness of the weather, and the earliness of the season, invite us not to lose a moment in enjoying its delights? Lady Candlewick. Well, I confess you astonish me prodigiously. How the country may be, I do not know I dare say the trees are green enough, and the weather fine enough; but you know that parliament sits so exceedingly late this year. Sir James. And your ladyship is rascally electors, what do you think they did, Sir James? Sir James. Most likely took a bribe from his antagonist. Lady Candlewick. Indeed they did, and from Sir Christopher too. Sir James. How was that? Lady Candlewick. Thus: I think you will agree with me, that it was the most profligate conduct in the world. No sooner had Sir Christopher paid down his 5000l. to be distributed among the electors-- Sir James. What! then Sir Christopher attempted to bribe them? Lady Candlewick. Of course; that you know is the way. Sir James. Indeed! I am sorry Lady Candlewick. Exactly. to hear it: but I suppose Sir Chris- | fine weather, but by the number of topher having set his rival candi- fashionable people who go into the date the example, that rival bribed country. the electors higher than he did, and so was returned for the borough. Lady Candlewick. Exactly so: was it not most infamous? was such barefaced profligacy ever heard of? Then, too, how many splendid parties, how many fine dresses, and how many beautiful carriages, might I not have had for the money thus thrown away! Sir James. Then, though Sir Christopher, to the regret, no doubt, of the nation, is not in parliament, I suppose your ladyship stays in town because he is not. Lady Candlewick. Very true: for what pleasure can one have in the country, if it be not fashonable to be there? Sir James. And because parliament may not be prorogued until the end of July, your ladyship will remain in Sackville-street till that date. Lady Candlewick. Most certainly. Sir James. I envy your ladyship's accommodating disposition; for though I am not in parliament, I am obliged to remain in London on some matters of business that cannot be deferred, and I confess I feel great reluctance at resigning, at this delightful season, the charms of the country. Lady Candlewick. There you see is the difference between us: you like the country when the trees are green and the sun shines at all times; now I like it only when I can enjoy it fashionably green trees and sunshine are nothing to me, at a wrong time. Sir James. So that you measure your seasons, not by the progress of the months, or the approach of Sir James. And you do not go into the country for the sake of health or enjoyment, so much as because other people, who generally lead the ton, set you the example. However, here comes a lady who is quite of a different opinion. Lady Candlewick. You mean Lady Blue. Aye, indeed, she is thoroughly old-fashioned; quite of the last century in her dress and her opinions. You may see that, if you only look at her footman behind her, in his old-fashioned buckramed broad worsted - laced state coat. Sir James. I confess, that, on some points, her ladyship's taste is a little too antiquated even for me, and among others, in the liveries she chooses: but that is not a matter of much consequence. Lady Candlewick. Well, it is astonishing how some people differ : now, I hold it to be a matter of the highest consequence how our footmen are dressed: a lady of fashion now-a-days is much more anxious about the appearance of her footmen than of her children. Sir James. About the last Lady Blue need take no care, as she has never had the felicity of being married. Lady Candlewick. Felicity you call it! Ask Sir Christopher what he thinks of it. But here comes Lady Blue. Good morning to your ladyship-a fine morning for Rot ten-row. [Enter Lady BLUE.] Sir James. I hope your ladyship enjoys perfect health. Lady Blue. I thank you: if any |