Gold Ink
Gold ink is prepared in the following way: Genuine gold leaf is rubbed with honey on a plate of agate or ground glass by means of a flat pestle, until the whole presents a uniform mass, in which no distinct particles of gold can be recognized. (See No. 2517.) This mass is carefully removed into a vessel with water, which will dissolve the honey, and leave the gold in an extremely disintegrated state behind. The water has, according to the size of the vessel, to be removed twice or three times, when all the saccharine matter will have been washed away. The remaining gold is then mixed with a sufficient quantity of a solution of gumarabic, shaken well, and is ready for use. (See No. 2518.) The writing is to be rubbed, after drying, with a flat piece of ivory, when it will present the lustre of pure gold.