Rule First.—­Procure a frame one inch longer than the engraved part of the print.  Second.—­Cut the engraving the size of the frame, then make a stiff paste, and spread thickly on the frame.  Third.—­Place the engraving face down and sponge it gently with water; then press the frame firmly and evenly down on; leave it till entirely dry (not by the fire) and it will become even and tight.

To make the Grecian Varnish.—­Take one part turpentine, two parts alcohol, (90 proof,) three parts balsam of fir, and mix.

To use the Varnish.—­Pour sufficient spirits of turpentine on the back of the picture to moisten it well, then put on the varnish and rub it thoroughly with a stiff brush, and continue to apply it until the picture is perfectly transparent.

Spots.—­Leave the picture for twenty-four hours, after which if white spots appear, showing that the varnish has not been effectual, repeat the process.  Sometimes it has to be done several times.

Drying.—­Place the picture, face downward, where it will be free from dust, and leave it three or four days.

Paints.—­These are put on the back of the engraving.

Eyes.—­For blue eyes, permanent blue and white; for hazel eyes, yellow ochre and vandyke brown.

Flesh Tints.—­Flake white, with a very little vermillion and Naples yellow.

Foliages.—­Chrome yellow and Prussian blue, with any of the browns.

Sky.—­Clouds touched in with white; the rest permanent blue and white.

Water.—­The light parts with white, the rest the same as the sky.  If a bright scene, and with trees, of a greenish brown.

Hair and Eyebrows.—­Yellow ochre and vandyke brown, or raw sienna.

Backgrounds.—­The most agreeable tint is a greenish brown.

White Background.—­Flake and silver white.

Buff Background.—­Naples yellow.

Orange Background.—­Chrome yellow, with vermillion.

Blue Background.—­Flake white and Prussian blue.

Gray Background.—­White, Prussian blue, and vermillion.

Pink Background.—­White and vermillion.

Crimson Background.—­Vermillion and white, with carmine.

Green Background.—­Chrome yellow and Prussian blue.

Paints for the front of the picture.—­Drying oil must be used with all the colours on the front.

Shading for the flesh on the front.—­Carmine and vandyke brown laid on lightly, and the edges touched off with the finger.

Cheeks.—­Carmine; soften the edges carefully.

Lips.—­Carmine, with a touch of vermilion.

Hair and Eyebrows.—­Yellow lake and vandyke brown.

Draperies.—­These are always painted on the back, and shaded on the front with vandyke brown.

Backgrounds.—­If plain, glaze with yellow lake.

Foliages.—­Yellow lake and vandyke brown.

General Directions.—­First.—­Lay the paint thickly on the back, and be careful to cover every part, but not to go over the edges.  Second.—­When the painting is finished let it dry four days, and then cover the front with a coat of mastic varnish.