Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/82



The old monastic artists frequently inserted in the margins or blank pages of a manuscript, receipts and directions for the different materials and processes connected with their work. These receipts deserve being collected: they are curious illustrations of the progress of art, and they may even afford valuable hints for modern times. The colours used in the Middle Ages were often more brilliant and durable than any we have at present. The following examples of these receipts are furnished by a manuscript in the British Museum, (MS. Harl. No. 2253. fol. 52. v°.,) written at the beginning of the reign of Edward II., and therefore in, or soon after, 1307.

Vorte make cynople. Tac brasyl and seoth in dichwatur to the halfendel other to the thridde partie, ant seththe tac a ston of chalk, ant mak an hole ithe chalk, as deop ant as muche as thu wenest that thi watur wol gon in, ant heldit therin, ant seththe anon riht quicliche tak a bord other a ston ant keover hit that non eyr ne passe out, ant let hit stonde vorte hit beo colt.

Vorte temprene asure. 𝔷ef thin asure is fin, tak gumme arabuk i-noh, ant cast into a standys with cler watur vorte hit beo i-molten, ant seththe cast therof into thin asure, ant sture ham togedere, ant 𝔷ef ther beth bobeles theron, tac a lutel ere-wax ant pute therin, ant thenne writ. Et ne grynt