=Mode of Operation.=—­If the wood is soft and porous it is best to commence with a coating of size and whiting applied in a warm state, which is allowed to dry; it is then rubbed down with glass-paper, and two coats of common paint given, mixed in the usual way and of the same colour as you intend to finish with.  In practice this is found to be best; after these two coats are thoroughly dry, mix the white-lead ground in turps, with only a sufficient quantity of varnish to bind it, thinning to a proper consistency with turps.  It is as well to add a little of the ordinary white-lead ground in oil, as it helps to prevent cracking.  Give the work four or five coats of this, and allow each coat to dry thoroughly.  When it is hard and ready for rubbing down, commence with a soft piece of pumice-stone and water, and rub just sufficient to take off the roughness.  Now use the felt-covered rubbers and ground pumice-stone, and cut it down, working in a circular manner.  The greatest care is required to obtain a level surface free from scratches.

After the work is well rubbed down, if it should appear to be insufficiently filled up, or if scratched, give it two more coats, laid on very smoothly, and rub down as before.  If properly done, it will be perfectly smooth and free from scratches.  Wash it well down, and be careful to clean off all the loose pumice-stone.  Then mix flake-white from the tube with either of the above-named varnishes, till it is of the consistency of cream.  Give one coat of this, and when dry give it another, adding more varnish.  Let this dry hard, the time taken for which will of course depend upon the drying qualities of the varnish; some will polish in eight or nine days, but it is much the best to let it stand as long as you possibly can, as the harder it is, the brighter and more enduring will be the polish.  When sufficiently hard, use the felt, and very finely-ground pumice-stone and water; with this cut down till it is perfectly smooth; then let it stand for a couple of days, to harden the surface.

=Polishing.=—­In commencing to bring up a polish, first take rotten-stone, either in oil or water; use this with the felt rubber for a little while, then put some upon the surface of the silk-covered boss, and commence to rub very gently in circular strokes; continue this till there is a fine equal surface all over.  The polish will begin to appear as you proceed, but it will be of a dull sort.  Clean off:  if the rotten-stone is in oil, clean off with dry flour; if in water, wash off with sponge and leather, taking care that you wash it perfectly clean and do not scratch.

You will now, after having washed your hands, use a clean damp chamois leather, holding it in the left hand, and using the right to polish with, keeping it clean by frequently drawing it over the damp leather.  With the ball of the right hand press gently upon the work, and draw your hand sharply, forward or towards you; this will produce a bright polish, and every time you bring your hand forward a sharp shrill sound will be heard similar to rubbing on glass.  Continue this till the whole surface is one bright even polish.  It will be some time before you will be able to do this perfectly, especially if the skin is dry or hard, as it is then liable to scratch the work.  A smooth, soft skin will produce the best polish.