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70 but we assert that no quantity of lamp-black and gum, or grease, will be found effectual for that purpose.

In the time of Celsus, the sulphate of iron (copperas) had not yet become an essential ingredient of writing-ink; and even after that its combination with carbonaceous, and oleaginous matters entirely neutralised the power which renders it applicable and useful in such, cases.

We have thus herein attempted the fulfilment of the promise (with which we began) to produce a ""— a thing, never before done or even proposed to be done. If not successful in our attempt, we hope that we have at least, in this little book, furnished hints and suggestions on this subject which we learned may employ hereafter when the history of this important material of history, shall be undertaken and executed on a larger scale. In view of which possibility, we may, with a pardonable self-gratulation, say,—in the words of Martin Luther,—"We have