Recipe for making the best and most durable black writing ink, as used by the leading penmen of the United States and Canada.
To 2 gallons of strong decoction of logwood, well strained, add 1-1/2 lbs. blue galls in coarse powder, 6 ounces sulphate of iron, 1 oz. acetate of copper, 6 oz. of pulverized sugar, and 8 oz. of gum arabic; set the above on the fire until it begins to boil, strain, and then set it away until it has acquired the desired blackness. The strong “decoction of logwood” is made by boiling; use soft water, into which put two ounces of logwood; strain after taking from the fire.
The above ink properly made, according to the above directions, is unsurpassed for elegant writing of any kind. It flows freely from the pen, turns to a deep black after writing, and does not fade. Records written with it fifty years ago are as legible as the day they were put upon the paper.
Fig Candy.--Take 1 pound of sugar and 1 pint of water; set over a slow fire. When done, add a few drops of vinegar and a lump of butter, and pour into pans in which split figs are laid.
Red Sealing Wax.--Purchase 4 lbs. shellac, 1-1/2 lbs. venice turpentine, 3 lbs. finest cinnabar and 4 oz. venetian; mix the whole well together, and melt over a very slow fire. Pour it on a thick, smooth glass, or any other flat, smooth surface, and make it into 3, 6 or 10 sticks.
Silver Ink.--Mix 1 oz. of the finest pewter or block tin in shavings with 2 oz. quicksilver till all becomes fluid; then add to it sufficient gum arabic water to produce the proper consistency.
Yellow Ink.--A little alum added to saffron, in soft, hot water, makes a beautiful yellow ink.
Mucilage for Labels.--Dextrine, 2 ounces; glycerine, 1 drachm; alcohol, 1 ounce; water, 6 ounces.
The Celebrated Chemical Compound.--Take one pint of alcohol, 2 gills nitrous spirits ether, 2 oz. bicromate potash, 2 oz. powdered cinnamon, 2 oz. aqua fortis. Mix all the above together and let it stand twenty-four hours and it is fit for use. Bottle in ounce vials, and sell for 25 cents. To extract grease stains, etc., from cloth, saturate with cold water, dip a sponge in the liquid and apply it, and repeat if necessary, and wash off with cold water.
Gold Ink.--Two parts mosaic, 1 part gum arabic (by measure); mix with soft water until reduced to a proper condition.