It is not so much the object of the author, with regard to the various arts treated of in the following pages, to convey to professed artists, a more accurate and extensive knowledge of those arts, as to explain some of the first lines and principles of them, for the advantage of those, who may be induced to practice them occasionally, either for profit or amusement. The chemical experiments are such as are calculated to combine recreation, with improvement in useful knowledge--a knowledge of some of the leading principles of chemistry.--The true chemical terms, according to the new nomenclature (which, perhaps, may not be so readily understood, by some, as the more common and familiar names, but will be found sufficiently explained in the appendix) have, in this work, been applied to the various articles occasionally mentioned. Very few substances have been mentioned, which are generally considered poisonous, or otherwise dangerous; but it may be proper, however, for those who may attempt any of the chemical experiments, to proceed with caution, and carefully avoid the fumes produced by chemical action, especially in metallic solutions in nitric acid, and sublimation of mercury. Several articles in this little collection, will probably be found to contain some improvements, and if it prove as interesting to others, as a similar work would formerly have been to the author, his object will have been attained. TABLE OF CONTENTS. _Page._ 1. Water-proof gilding and silvering, 9 2. The art of burnish gilding, 11 3. Ornamental bronze gilding, 13 4. To enamel picture glasses with gold, 15 5. To wash iron or steel with gold, 15 6. To wash brass or copper with silver, 16 7. To give wood a gold, silver, or copper lustre, 17 8. To print gold letters on morocco, 18 9. To dye silk a brilliant gold colour, 18 10. To dye silk a brilliant silver colour, 19 11. To silver looking glasses, 20 12. To write on paper with gold or silver, 22 13. To make good shining black ink, 23 14. Blue ink, 23 15. Red ink, 24 16. Yellow ink, 24 17. Green ink, 25 18. Purple ink, 25 19. To write in various colours with the same pen, ink and paper. 25 20-26. Sympathetic inks for secret correspondence, 27