Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/435

Rh , the curious reader will consult Mr. W.'s "Account of, and observations on, different blue colours produced from the mother-water of soda phosphorata," &c. which is inserted in the 4th vol. of the "Memoirs of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester."  BOOKS are liable to be stained with grease, tallow, oil, or other fat substances; by which their beauty and value are greatly impaired: hence we shall add the following recipe for restoring them to their former colour, on the authority of M. . He directs ("Bibliotheque Economique," vol. i.) the soiled paper first to be warmed, and as much of the grease as is possible, to be taken out, by means of blotting-paper. A small brush is then to be dipped in the essential oil of well-rectified spirit of turpentine, previously heated till it nearly boil, and to be drawn over both sides of the paper, which ought to be kept warm. This operation is to be repeated, till all the grease be extracted; when another brush, immersed in highly-rectified spirit of wine, must be passed over the same paper; by which expedients, the spots will completely disappear; the paper will resume its original whiteness; and, though the process be employed on a part containing written or printed characters, they will experience no alteration.  BRASS.—In 1781, a patent was granted to Mr., for his invention of making brass of copper and zinc.—The patentee directs the spelter to be melted in an roniron [sic] boiler, then passed through a perforated ladle, and placed over a vessel containing water; by which means the zinc will be granulated. Fifty-four pounds of copper shot are now mixed with 10lbs. of calcined and pulverized calamine, together with about one bushel of charcoal: a handful of this mixture is first put into a casting-pot, then 3lbs. of the granulated zinc; upon which the composition before specified is laid till the vessel be filled: Mr. E., however, has not stated the exact proportion of the ingredients.—Eight similar pots are now to be supplied with the same materials, and the whole must be submitted to the heat of a furnace, for the space of 12 hours; when the process will be completed, and 82lbs. of brass be procured; which the patentee asserts to be of a very superior quality to that manufactured from copper and calamine.  BREAD.—Beside the shameful adulterations practised with this important article, by employing chalk, alum, &c. which have already been stated, there is great reason to apprehend that considerable quantities of the meal of pease and beans are mixed with the flour usually sold to bakers. It is well known, that meal-men purchase various kinds of grain; and, as many of the former are often indebted to the latter in considerable sums, they are either rendered unable to purchase the best flour; or, frequently, by dire necessity, induced to take such a mixture as the meal-men please to allow them.—Why therefore, should the quality of the bread be less worthy the attention of public officers, or of that respectable body of citizens, called the annoyance-jury, than the mere weight or quantity?

French Bread is prepared in the following manner: Take half a bushel of the best wheaten flour, and dilute one pint of good yeast