Page:The Life of William Morris.djvu/388

ÆT. 44] "12 July.Mr. Lendon called about Bazin's work; he gave us some instructions about the point paper, etc. He went round to Ormond Yard and saw the loom; the carpenter finished his work at midday. W.M. dyed a few silks in cochineal. He says that he cannot get on at all with this dye: he cannot make it out, he is unable to get a deep colour on. It will dye the deepest colour in a few minutes, and after that the colour will not get deeper, no matter how long you keep your goods in the decoction. I mordanted a few hanks of wool for to-morrow's experiments, which are to be in the fustic line.

"23 July.I tried to get the Indian vat set to-day, but the indigo, which has to be ground, prevented me. I hope to do so to-morrow.

"24 July.I was hard at work with the vat and managed to get it set by 5 p.m.W.M. helped, and as he slept in town he was able to look at it before going to bed. Silks were alumed for to-morrow's dyeing (weld and walnut, also madder).

"25 July.The vat was coming round all day; she seemed to be doing well at 6.30, when I left; a coppery scum was coming on the surface.

"27 July.The vat seemed to be doing well today; a little silk dyeing was done for experiments. A brevet was given her at 5 p.m. Not very much business done.

"28 July.The hopeful Indian vat brought W.M. up to town (an unusual thing for him to do on a Saturday): the vat had come round very well by this morning; she was in a fit state for dyeing, and W.M. tried some wool in her, which proved to be successful. Still she was not quite come round to her proper form. A little cochineal dyeing was done; blues were dyed purple.