Blacking, Automat′ic

Syn. Self-shi′′ning blacking , Span′ish Japan , . Prep. 1. Gum-arabic, 4 oz. ; treacle or coarse moist sugar, 1 1 ⁄ 2 oz. ; good black ink, 1 ⁄ 4 pint; strong vinegar, 2 oz. ; rectified spirit of wine and sweet oil, of each 1 oz. ; di olve the gum in the ink, add the oil, and rub them in a mortar or shake them together for some time, until they are thoroughly united; then add the vinegar, and lastly the spirit. 2. Lamp-black, 3 ⁄ 4 oz. ; indigo (in fine powder), 1 dr. ; put them in a mortar, or basin, and rub them with sufficient mucilage (made by di olving 4 oz. of gum in 1 ⁄ 4 pint of strong vinegar) to form a thin paste; add very gradually of sweet oil, 1 oz. ; and triturate until their union is complete, adding toward the end the rest of the mucilage; then further add of treacle, 1 1 ⁄ 2 oz. ; and afterwards, succe ively, of strong vinegar, 2 oz. ; rectified spirit, 1 oz. ; lastly, bottle for use. 3. Mix the whites of 2 eggs with a table-spoonful of spirit of wine, 2 large lumps of sugar (crushed), and sufficient finely powdered ivory-black to give the required colour and thickne , avoiding exce . Obs. The above are chiefly used for dre boots and shoes. The first two are applied to the leather with the tip of the finger, or a sponge, and then allowed to dry out of the dust. The third is commonly laid on with a sponge or soft brush, and when almost dry or hard may have its polish heightened with a brush or soft rubber, after which it is left for a few hours to harden. It may also be used to revive the faded black leather seats and backs of old chairs. They all po e great brilliancy for a time; but are only adapted to clean, dry weather, or indoor use. They should all be applied to the leather as thinly as po ible, as otherwise they soon crack off.