For silvering glass globes, etc. To half an ounce of lead add half
an ounce of fine tin, and melt them together in an iron ladle; when in
a state of fusion, add Jialf an ounce of bismuth, skim off the dross, re-
move the ladle from the fire, and before it solidifies add five ounces
of quicksilver, and stir the whole well together, being careful not to
breathe over it, as the fumes of the quicksilver are very injurious.
The operation should be performed under a hood communicating
with a chimney of good draft, to carry off the vapors. Or, to four
ounces of quicksilver put as much tin-foil as will become barely
fluid when mixed. Have the globe clean, dry and warm, and inject
the metal by means of a clean glass or earthen pipe at the aperture,
turning it about until it is silvered all over; let the remainder run out,
and the operation is finished.
CEMENTS, PASTES, ETC.
The strongest known glue is that made from the skins and sounds
of fishes, and the strongest of this class is made in Lapland from the
skin of a perch. The Laplanders use it in making their bows, which
are both strong and durable. In making it their cold climate is
greatly in their favor; here a fishskin will begin to undergo decom-
position before it can be dried.
In making it the skins are put into a bladder, which answers for a
water bath, and heated in water until a sort of glue results. This
glue is, as may be imagined, very elastic. Isinglass is a very strong
glue, made from skins, sounds, etc., of fishes ; it is very liable to be
spoiled in making by overheating.
The pastes are all made from starch in some of its forms. Gluten
MISCELLANEOUS HOUSEHOLD RECIPES. 563
is also used for a paste, but starch is the best. All additions of resin,
etc., commonly recommended are a damage to paste.
Dextrine, or " British gum," is of immense value in the arts as a
cement. It is derived from starch by roasting or by the action of
nitric acid. It was discovered by accidental overheating of starch,
and its process of manufacture was for a long time kept secret. Its
chief use for a long time was in the cotton manufacture. It is the
standard gum for postage stamps, though it is said that gum arable
and cheaper substitutes are used in this country.
No cement can be fireproof which contains organic matter, since
this is decomposed at a temperature about that of melting lead, or say,
600° Fahrenheit. Cements containing oils will not be fireproof
Silicate of soda mixed with asbestos is the nearest to a fire-proof
cement. It will stand a low, red heat. It is decomposed at a bright
red.
Cement cracks when it is made up with too much water. It then
forms a vitreous crust, and is not homogeneous throughout its mass.
By adding finely crushed granite fragments to cement without sand, a
material is obtained that has great hardness, and which is susceptible
of taking a high polish.
A paste made of whiting and benzine will clean marble, and one
made of whiting and chloride of soda spread and left to dry (in the
sun if possible) on the marble will remove spots.
Page 365
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
For silvering glass globes, etc. To half an ounce of lead add half an ounce of fine tin, and melt them together in an iron ladle; when in a state of fusion, add half an ounce of bismuth, skim off the dross, remove the ladle from the fire, and before it solidifies add five ounces of quicksilver, and stir the whole well together, being careful not to breathe over it, as the fumes of the quicksilver are very injurious. The operation should be performed under a hood communicating with a chimney of good draft, to carry off the vapors. Or, to four ounces of quicksilver put as much tin-foil as will become barely fluid when mixed. Have the globe clean, dry and warm, and inject the metal by means of a clean glass or earthen pipe at the aperture, turning it about until it is silvered all over; let the remainder run out, and the operation is finished.
CEMENTS, PASTES, ETC.
The strongest known glue is that made from the skins and sounds of fishes, and the strongest of this class is made in Lapland from the skin of a perch. The Laplanders use it in making their bows, which are both strong and durable. In making it their cold climate is greatly in their favor; here a fishskin will begin to undergo decomposition before it can be dried.
In making it the skins are put into a bladder, which answers for a water bath, and heated in water until a sort of glue results. This glue is, as may be imagined, very elastic. Isinglass is a very strong glue, made from skins, sounds, etc., of fishes ; it is very liable to be spoiled in making by overheating.
The pastes are all made from starch in some of its forms. Gluten
is also used for a paste, but starch is the best. All additions of resin, etc., commonly recommended are a damage to paste.
Dextrine, or " British gum," is of immense value in the arts as a cement. It is derived from starch by roasting or by the action of nitric acid. It was discovered by accidental overheating of starch, and its process of manufacture was for a long time kept secret. Its chief use for a long time was in the cotton manufacture. It is the standard gum for postage stamps, though it is said that gum arable and cheaper substitutes are used in this country.
No cement can be fireproof which contains organic matter, since this is decomposed at a temperature about that of melting lead, or say, 600° Fahrenheit. Cements containing oils will not be fireproof
Silicate of soda mixed with asbestos is the nearest to a fire-proof cement. It will stand a low, red heat. It is decomposed at a bright red.
Cement cracks when it is made up with too much water. It then forms a vitreous crust, and is not homogeneous throughout its mass. By adding finely crushed granite fragments to cement without sand, a material is obtained that has great hardness, and which is susceptible of taking a high polish.
A paste made of whiting and benzine will clean marble, and one made of whiting and chloride of soda spread and left to dry (in the sun if possible) on the marble will remove spots.