FoodNetArchive

The hearthstone; or, Life at home

1883

Page 375 · 1 recipe record on this page

Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
To Preserve a Cracked Picture. — An application which is said to answer the purpose of preserving a scaling or cracked picture very well, is made of a mixture of equal parts of linseed-oil and methylated chloroform, which is to be poured over the painting if the colors are too brittle to bear the friction of a soft brush. After remaining on the surface of the painting for a day or two, the excess of oil may be removed by means of a piece of cotton wool, or a soft brush, a fresh portion of the preservative^ applied, and the excess removed as before. This process must be repeated from time to time until the colors are firmly fixed, when the painting will bear friction, and may be cleaned or varnished. It is recommended, however, to remove as much of the dirt from the picture as possible (if there be any) by careful wash- ing with soft water, previously to making the above application. The mixture will not restore the cracks in a painting, but simply fixes the colors, and by rendering them very elastic, prevents the cracking from progressing further. A mixture of one part of methylated chloroform and two of linseed oil is used for reviving the colors of paintings. After washing, a small portion is rubbed over the picture with cotton wool, and on the following day the painting is wiped over with a soft silk handkerchief Oil and chloroform, when used in the proportions given, possess the property — so it is claimed — of restoring the faded colors of paintings, and of developing colors, which, by reason of age, have perished to the eye. Cool rain-water and soda will remove machine grease from washable goods. Lamp-wick dipped in hot vinegar before using is said to prevent offensive smell from lamps. Tortoise-shell and horn combs are preserved from cracking by being occasionally rubbed with 57o THE HEARTHSTONE ; OR, LIFE AT HOME, oil. To remove oil spots from matting, counterpanes, etc., wet with alcohol, rub with hard soap, then wash with cold water. Ink-stains. — There are various methods for removing ink-stains from white fabrics, but most of them attack the material itself. With colored goods the difficulty is increased, for that which will remove the ink will destroy the color. A European paper now states that if the stain is dipped into hot melted suet or tallow and washed when cold in hot water it will remove the ink together with the fat. The Parisian method of cleaning black silk is to brush and wipe it thoroughly, lay it on a flat table with the side up which is intended to show, and sponge with hot coffee strained through muslin. Allow it to become partially dry, then iron. To Renovate Black Cashmere. — Take about one-half teacup of spirits of ammonia to one quart soft waterRenovate Black Cashmere; then with a soft sponge rub the pieces till thoroughly wet ; then roll tightly ; when the pieces are all sponged, iron immediately ; put the right side of the cashmere next to the flannel ; use as hot an iron as possible and iron till per- fectly dry. Then use a soft brush to remove flannel lint from the right side.