[Sidenote: To paint the Letters.] In proceeding to paint the letters, squeeze out a small quantity of the colour on to the wooden palette, and with the flexible palette-knife mix it with a little of the pale drying oil, and a very little spirits of turpentine. The latter _can_ be dispensed with, if the smell of it be found injurious; otherwise it contributes to brighten the colours, and makes them dry more quickly. In painting keep the brush full, laying on the colour in long steady sweeps, not in short, hasty touches, which would leave irregularities of surface. [Sidenote: Corrections.] Spirits of turpentine, used alone, will serve to remove the colour, if correction be necessary; but care must be taken not to apply enough to remove the foundation-colour at the same time. If a wrong colour be accidentally applied, another can be painted over it, but, of course, this should be avoided if possible. [Sidenote: Gold-leaf.] Gold-leaf is applied in the manner already explained (page 9), but with _oil_ gold-size. Plain vermilion, used in the same way as size, is said to answer the purpose equally well. Bessemer's gold paint only answers for a time, as it soon becomes discoloured on metal. [Sidenote: Number of Coats of Paint.] Letters painted in white will require three coats of colour; in blue and green, at least two; in black, two coats.[11] Vermilion is generally brighter if laid on in sufficient quantity at once, without retouching. [11] Each coat must be allowed to dry before another is laid on. The time will vary according to damp or dry weather. The writer has occasionally had the colours mixed for use by a village-painter, but this would only be done on an emergency. [Sidenote: Best Colours for Effect.] For effect, it is best not to employ many colours; red and black, with a _little_ blue or green, invariably look best at a distance. [Illustration: Quatrefoil Border.] [Sidenote: Borders.] Elaborate borders on zinc scrolls are quite unsuitable; an edge of _quatrefoil_ (three-quarters of an inch in depth), or something equally simple, having by far the best effect; this also must not be placed too near the letters, or it will interfere with the distinctness of the text. The border should be drawn at the edge of the zinc, unless the ground-colour contrast with the wall, in which case a narrow margin may be left. [Sidenote: To clean Palette and Brushes.] The palette and brushes must be washed quite clean after daily use, with spirits of turpentine. If the paint is allowed to harden (as it will in a few hours), it cannot be removed. [Sidenote: Health.] For the preservation of health, this description of illuminating should, in summer, be carried on with widely-opened windows, and in winter beside a large fire, which purifies the air of the room, and prevents the smell of the turpentine, &c. from being injurious to delicate persons. _Colours for Special Seasons._