After the chair, table, tray or! what-will-you has been framed by the cabinet maker there follows the first actual operation at the lacquer shop when a kind of putty is used to fill all cracks and irregularities in the surface. For all except the very finest ware this is made by mixing pig's-blood with the lacquer, but all artisans agreed that gives an impermanence to the lustre, Tt looks just as good when new as docs the ware smoothed with solid lacquer, but time shows its inferiority. After this operation there are many coats of dull coloured Jacquer applied, each being hand rubbed to a fair degree of polish but not to what the craftsmen term "true shine." Then come the coats to be brought to a fine polish, each requiring its proper time for drying before it can be properly polished. For the better pieces there are said to be required 2%5 to 30 coats and polishings. there is to be a floral or scenic design, that is now put on by skilled draughtsman. At the present time there is very little originality shown in this direction, most of the paintings being copies of tried and true favourites. Most of the salesmen can show you books of designs from you can select what you wish. The one exception along the line of originality appeared within the past four or five years, a line of goods with tasteful designs of- bamboos. pines, and other trees worked out in silver leaf upon the brilliant black Incquered background. It is beautifal and seemingly permanent, has won almost instantaneous popularity. This silver leaf de-ceration, as that of paint, is covered coat or two of colourless lacquer, the whole then receiving a final rubbing to give the final gloss to the finished product.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.