Indelible Ink
The linen is first moistened with a fluid consisting of a mixture of 2 parts carbonate of soda in crystals, 2 parts gum-arabic, 8 parts water, and then dried. When quite dry, it is rubbed with a is necessary to write with a quill pen, all metallic pens except gold ones decomposing the ink. It is a good plan to trace the letters on the linen with a pencil before writing them.
This and the four following receipts are by Dr. Reiman, who says that they have all been thoroughly well tried, and found effectual. acquires its full intensity, and is beyond com- glass or smooth pebble to render it as smooth parison stronger than the color of the original as possible, so that it may be easier to write trace. If, then, the corner of a bit of blotting upon. The composition of the ink itself is as paper be carefully and dexterously applied follows: 14 parts nitrate of silver, 16 parts near the letters, SO as to imbibe the superflu- distilled water, 2 parts gum-arabic, and 1/3 part ous liquor, the staining of the parchment may sap green. The nitrate of silver is first disbe in a great measure avoided; for it is this solved in the distilled water, and the gum-arasuperfluous liquor which, absorbing part of bic and sap green are subsquently added. It the coloring matters from the letters, becomes a dye to whatever it touches. Care must be taken not to bring the blotting-paper in contact with the letters, because the coloring matter is soft whilst wet, and may easily be rubbed off. The acid chiefly employed is the muriatic; but both the sulphuric and nitric succeed very well. They should be so far diluted as not to be liable to corrode the parchment, after which the degree of strength does not seem to be a matter of much nicety. 2505. To make New Writing Look Old. Take 1 drachm saffron, and infuse it into 1/2 pint ink, and warm it over a gentle fire, and it will cause whatever is written with it to turn yellow, and appear as if of many years' standing.