The leaves when finished are put into small books made of single leaves of soft paper folded, but without sewing, and the surface of the paper is rubbed with red chalk to prevent the leaves adhering. Before putting the leaves into these books, they are taken one by one, with a pair of delicate pincers, out of the packet of the last beating, and spread out upon a cushion of leather, by blowing them flat ; then, to cut them all to the same size, a piece of square board is applied, which has four sharp edges of cane glued upon it. These edges being pressed upon the gold, cut it to the size desired, which is generally 3-1 inches square. The books are made up to contain 25 leaves each, and in this state they are ready for the gilder.
The extension of the gold during the latter beating de pends greatly upon the nature of the membrane or skin which is interposed between the leaves. The preparation of these skins is kept a secret by the few individuals who furnish them to the gold•beaters. Dr Lewis describes them as being made from the skins of ox-gut, stripped off from the large straight gut cut open. A number of these membranes are laid with the smooth sides together whilst in a moist state, and will adhere together : they are then stretched in a frame, and the fat and loose skin carefully scraped off, so as to leave only the fine exterior membrane of the gut. Afterwards they are beaten between leaves of soft paper to absorb the grease, moistened with infusions of strong spices, and are lastly dried and pressed flat. Be
fore being used, they are rubbed over with a pounce, com posed of plaster of Paris, which is rubbed strongly with a hare's foot, to prevent the gold from adhering to the mem brane, which is very thin but tough, and so transparent, that small print may be read through it. The skins will serve for beating seventy or eighty times ; but at length the gold will not extend well between them. It is said in the French _Encyclopedic, that their virtues may be again restored, by placing them between papers wetted with vinegar or white wine, beating them for a whole day, dry ing them, and then rubbing them again with the pounce. It is also recommended to dry and press the skins every time before they are used.
The Dutch manufacture a false gold leaf, which is made of brass covered with gold. The brass is reduced to a line thin ribband, by laminating in the same manner as we have described for the gold. The ribband is then gilded by the wash gilding process, and afterwards cut up into pieces, which arc beat out into leaves, by the same means that are used fur gold beating ; but the extension is not carried so far, because there is less inducement to make the leaves thin.
It is difficult to distinguish this Dutch leaf from true gold when new, but it very soon tarnishes and wholly loses its colour, which renders it unfit for any other kinds of gilding than those which are to be varnished over. (J. F.)