Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/362

340]  kind of paper, which is much thicker than that used for the purposes of printing, writing, &c.; so that it is manufactured solely for hanging or lining the walls of rooms. Such papers are coloured in various ways; but, as a description of these processes would trespass on our limits, we shall merely take notice of a patent, which was granted in 1793, to Mr. ; for his method of preparing and printing paper-hangings in different patterns, and silvering them so as to resemble damask, lace, and various silk stuffs. The patentee directs the paper to be coloured in the usual manner, and a proper coat of size, consisting of solutions of isinglass, or parchment, to be applied. When this ground is sufficiently dry, a gold size, or other preparation, may be substituted, and laid on those parts, on which the ornaments are intended to appear. Before the gold size is perfectly dry, leaves of silver are spread over it; the paper is sized two or three times; and then finished with such varnish as will resist moisture.

To conclude:—As many accidents happen by the all-devouring element of fire, both to printed and written papers, as well as to hangings, when intrusted to improvident persons, we shall communicate a very simple, but effectual, method of rendering all sorts of paper . Such desirable object may be easily effected, by immersing these combustible materials in a strong solution of alum-water; and, after drying them, repeating this immersion, if necessary. Thus, neither the colour, nor the quality, of the paper, will be in the least affected: on the contrary, both will be improved; and the result of the experiment may be ascertained, by holding a slip of paper so prepared over a candle.  PARCHMENT, the skins of sheep or goats, prepared in such a manner, as to be subservient to the purposes of binding books, the reception of ink, &c.

The wool is first stripped off the skins, which are plunged in a lime-pit for the space of 24 hours, then taken out, drained, and stretched on a kind of frame; when the flesh is scraped off by means of an iron instrument. Next, they are moistened with a wet rag, then sprinkled with pulverized chalk, rubbed with a pumice-stone, and afterwards with the instrument; when the skins are again moistened, rubbed with the pumice-stone, drained, and the iron instrument is passed a third time over them.—The , or -side, undergoes similar operations; and, the whole being carefully extended on the frame, the flesh-side is again scraped; when it is a second time sprinkled with pulverized chalk, which is afterwards gently brushed off, and the skin again suspended, that it may become perfectly dry.

The next operation is that of paring; when the skins are reduced to one half of their thickness; and rendered smooth by the action of the pumice-stone. The parings are consumed in making size, glue, &c. while the skin is employed for ingrossing deeds, and other purposes.

There is a finer sort of parchment, known under the name of vellum, which is prepared from the skins of sacking calves. It is manufactured in a similar manner with the first mentioned article, excepting that it is not immersed in the lime-pit.—A very excellent , or , may be obtained by