=Fixing the Collotype Plate=, which may be performed in several ways. Immersing the plate in the etching fluid precludes the old method of cementing it on with plaster of Paris, or glue and whitening, but it may be fixed by adhesion to a bed of glass or a polished iron plate, or a special and somewhat complicated frame may be procured for securing the thick printing plate by means of adjustable clips secured by screws. Should the printing surface be upon a thin glass adhesion alone will be found sufficient, a few drops of water causing the printing plate to adhere to the thicker glass plate underneath. This method has the disadvantage that it is most difficult to ensure the position of the plate being in keeping with the mask on the frame. Should the mask be placed directly upon the gelatine surface of the plate it will not last many impressions without either tearing or causing damage to the surface through the formation of creases or wrinkles. If the picture has to be trimmed without margin, and mounted—either with or without varnish—the masking is altogether unnecessary. The preparation of the ink and rollers should next be proceeded with. Supposing the work in hand to be one of a simple character—say the reproduction of an impression from a copperplate in black—take a piece of the best chalk ink about the size of a hazel nut, in an unthinned condition, as supplied to the printing trade, and with an iron spatula or palette knife spread it upon the inking slab. Add one-quarter the amount of middle varnish (refined and odourless), one drop of olive oil, and one or two drops of best French turpentine, incorporate thoroughly by means of the palette knife, divide, and apply one-half to the roller. The next operation is the important one of =Distributing the Ink.=—A really good leather roller, the handles of which should be encased with easy fitting leather covers, is most suitable for the purpose. The ink, by careful manipulation of the roller, should be gradually distributed over the entire surface of both roller and slab in a perfectly even and regular manner. Should any small lumps be observable upon either surface they should be carefully removed with the palette knife and the rolling and distributing again proceeded with, as on careful attention to this matter the excellence of the resulting print greatly depends. The printing plate being well secured, its moistened surface should be very evenly dried. This is best effected by means of a roller covered either with fine cloth or washleather, or a fine soft linen cloth may be used as a substitute.