(From Austin Wood's Typographia.)

To find the Lay of the Type.—Fold a sheet of the paper and page it backwards, that is, page one on the back and page eight on the front.

When Cutting hard Paper and Boards, rub the edge of the knife with soft soap.

To put on a new Parchment.—Lay the tympan-frame upon it, cut out where the hooks and point-slides come, damp the edges two inches all round until limp, paste on as tight as possible. When the paste is dry sponge the parchment with a good drop of water; this prevents the parchment getting slack in damp weather.

To Prevent Electrotype Blocks from Warping.—To prevent electrotype blocks from warping, shrinking, or swelling, place them in a shallow pan or dish, cover with kerosine, and let them so soak as long as possible, say three or four days. Then wipe dry and place in the form. After the first two or three washings they may swell a little; if so, have them carefully dressed down, and after that you will have little or no trouble with them, and can leave them in the form just as you would if they were solid type.

Glaze Printing Inks.—In order to give printing inks a rich bronze-like appearance the following may be adopted: Take twelve ounces of shellac and dissolve in half a gallon of spirits of wine of a strength of ninety-five degrees. After standing for twenty-four hours, add seven ounces of aniline red, and leave it standing for a few hours. The liquid will then be ready for use, and may be added in small quantities to good black, blue, or other dark ink.