LIQUEURS. This name, adopted from the French, is given to a variety of odoriferous, fine flavoured, alcoholic liquors ; the processes of preparing which have been given in various parts of this work ; see EAU DE COLOGNI, EAU Di Locs, &c. In this place we shall insert the description of a very convenient little apparatus, and the process of working it, which we understand is much used at Paris, and elsewhere, for the purpose. At a is the boiler (containing the diluted spirits and flavouring ingredients) immersed in a water bath b, and heated ink or the chalk penetrates into their substance, and consequently the more of the stone must be ground away to remove them ; this is also more necessary with ink drawings or writings than with chalk, owing to the greater fluidity and consequent penetrability of the former.
The substances used by the artist upon the stone, are either lithographic ink, or lithographic chalk. The former has been described under the article Ina, (which see ;) but— The Ink for snaking transfers should be somewhat less burned, and therefore softer than that used for writing or drawing directly upon the stone.
Lithographic chalk should have all the qualities of a good drawing crayon. It should be even in texture, and carry a good point. The following propor tions are recommended: 1 oz. of common soap, 2 oz. tallow, 24 oz. virgin wax, 1 oz. shell-lac. The rest of the process is the same as in making the ink. Less black should be mixed with the chalk than with the ink, its only use being to colour the drawing, that the artist may see the lines he traces. When the whole is well mixed, it should be poured into a mould and very strongly pressed, to expel any air that may collect in bubbles, which would render it spongy.
Mode of dratoing.—Previous to drawing or writing, the stone must be well wiped with a clean, dry cloth. The ink is rubbed with water, like Indian ink, and is almost wholly used on the polished stone. The chalk is used only upon the grained stone • the polished surface of the other would not hold it. In drawing with ink, a gradation of tints is obtained either by varying the thick ness of the lines, or their distances from one another, as in engraving. The ink lines on polished stones, being solid and unbroken throughout, receive the printing all over; and if the lines be drawn as fine and as uniform as they are usually on copper, the print from them will be in no respect inferior ; but it requires a greater degree of skill to execute as well upon stone as is usually done upon copper or steel.
In using chalk, the grained stone should be very carefully dilated, and the utmost attention be paid to prevent any lodgment of the smallest particle of grease.upon the surface ; personal cleanliness is therefore absolutely necessary to the perfection of his work, especially in chalk drawings. The chalk is used upon the stone precisely the same manner as crayon upon paper; but it is of essential advantage in lithography to finish the required strength of tint at instead of going over the work a second time, the stone being impaired in its ;thility to receive the second lining clearly, by the absorption of the first. Some practice is requisite to use the chalk cleverly, as there has been no chalk hitherto made that will keep so good a point as is desirable. There is likewise some difficulty experienced in obtaining the finer tints sound in the impression ; and in order to obtain the lighter tints properly, it will be necessary to put the chalk in a rest, as,the metal port crayon is too heavy to draw upon the stone. The editor, who sometimes practises, is in the habit, before he com mences his subject, of pointing 20 or 30 pieces of chalk, stuck in quill holders, and placing them beside the stone in a little box, taking them up successively, as the points become worn off, so as to avoid, if possible, the cutting off chalk during the work, which endangers the soiling of the stone. When a very sharp and delicate line is required, he sharpens the point of the chalk upon paper, by pushing it forward in an inclined position, and twirling it round at the same time between the fore-finger and thumb. As the chalk softens by the warmth of the hand, it is quite necessary to have several pieces, to be able to change them. Some artists cut their chalk into the wedge form, as being stronger. Those portions that break off in drawing should be carefully taken off the stone by a camel's hair brush.