Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/509

Rh of a peculiar nature, have been contrived, with a view to facilitate that process; and some artists have so far succeeded, as to produce excellent instruments: the best, however, we believe, are those manufactured by Mr., of King-street, Covent-garden; who has brought his Patent Razors to the highest degree of perfection, of which they are perhaps susceptible.

Much, however, depends upon the manner in which the razor is managed. The hone, therefore, ought first to be wiped perfectly clean, after which a few drops of sweet oil must be poured on it. The operator should next place his thumb and fore-finger sideways, on the part of the heel, in order to take firm hold both of the blade and of its handle: one side of the razor is next to be laid flat across the hone, in such a manner that its shoulder (or the part contiguous to the heel), may touch the nearest part of the stone. The razor is now drawn towards the person, somewhat circularly, and with a slight pressure, till he arrives at the point. When such side has been thus passed for a few times, the opposite one is to be conducted in a similar manner, till the edge uniformly assumes a wiry appearance. Lastly, bnth sides are to be moved a few times across the hone, from the heel to the point; in order that a perfect regularity may be produced in every part of the edge.

The razor, being thus honed, must now be drawn obliquely, from the point to the heel, across a strop, that is perfectly flat; and which is furnished with two leafhers on the smoothing side: after this operation, it is fit for immediate use.—It deserves, however, to be mentioned, that those boasted powders, or unctuous preparations for giving a fine edge to razors, consist merely of crocus mortis, or the red calx of vitriol, which is spread on the strop, by mixing it with a little oil or tallow.

Those of our readers, whose faces smart from the use of indifferent razors, or who may wish for further instructions relative to their management, will meet with some pertinent hints on this subject, in Mr. 's Treatise on Razors, &c. (8vo. 1s. 6d. 1797); in which it is fully and perspicuously discussed.  READING, is the art of delivering written language, with precision, energy, and a proper adaptation of voice.

This art is one of the most pleasing in domestic or civilized life; yet there are few, comparatively speaking, who possess, or endeavour to acquire it, so as to be enabled to read fluently; and, by placing the emphasis as well as the accents on proper words, to convey the full meaning of an author to the hearer. Hence they become frequently indistinct, and sometimes unintelligible.

It would exceed our limits, to point out the faults or imperfections that prevail in the general method of reading, both at home and in the pulpit; yet we deem it our duty to observe, that the principal indistinctness arises frorn too great precipitation of speech, which is acquired by a vitiated mode of teaching or communicating this art to children. The first object of British school-masters should be, to render their pupils familiarly acquainted with written language, so that they may be enabled to  Rh