197.  Hair dye

No. 1 Crystalised nitrate of silver, 1 drachm; soft water, 1 oz.  No. 2 Sulphide (sulphuret is the same) of potassium, 1 drachm; soft water, 1 oz.; wash the beard or hair with soap to remove oil, dry with a towel a little then apply No. 1, and directly after it No. 2, for a few minutes, alternately, using different tooth brushes for each No.  Clear days are best on which to apply it.  As soon as dry, wash out well with soap.  Keep it from shirt bosoms and face, especially No. 1, as it will make the face sore as well as colour it.  If you do get it on the skin, cyanide (cyanuret is the same) of potassium, 1 drachm, to 2 ozs. of water, will take it off.  This last is poison, however, and should not touch sore places, nor be left where children may get at it.

198.  Tallow candles in imitation of wax

Purify melted mutton tallow by throwing in powdered quicklime, then add 2 parts of wax to 1 of tallow.  A most beautiful article of candle, resembling wax, will be produced by the mixture.  Dip the wicks in lime-water and saltpetre on making.

199.  To stain musical instruments A Crimson stain

Take of ground Brazil, 1 lb.; water, 3 quarts; cochineal, 1/2 oz.; boil the Brazil in the water for an hour; then strain, and add the cochineal; then boil it gently for half-an-hour, when it will be fit for use.  If you wish a scarlet tint, boil an ounce of saffron in a quart of water, and pass over the work before you stain it.  The article must be very clean, and of firwood, or the best sycamore.  When varnished over this stain it is most elegant.

200.  A purple stain for violins, &c.

Take of chipped logwood, 1 lb.; of water, 3 quarts; of pearl-ash, 4 ozs.; of indigo, pounded, 2 ozs.; put the logwood in the water, boil well for an hour, then add the pearl-ash and indigo, and when dissolved, you will have a beautiful purple.

201.  A blue stain for violins, &c.

Take of oil of vitriol in a glass bottle, 1 lb.; put into it 4 ozs. of indigo, and precede as directed in dyeing.

202.  Green stain for violins, &c.

Take of strong vinegar, 3 pints; of best verdigris, 4 ozs., ground fine; of sap green, 1/2 oz.; of indigo, 1/2 oz.; mix all together.

203.  General directions for dyeing

The materials should be perfectly clean; soap should be rinsed out in soft water; the article should be entirely wetted, or it will spot; light colours should be steeped in brass, tin or earthen; and, if set at all, should be set with alum.  Dark colours should be boiled in iron, and set with copperas; too much copperas rots the thread.

204.  For colouring sky blue