Sprinkles
This is another ornament on the covers of books, capable of being much varied. A few of the most general use are given, premising that any of the colours arranged as for the marbles above, or sprinkled on the uniform colours, will be productive of a beautiful effect. The books must be paste-washed over, but not glaired.
NUTMEG.
Sprinkle very finely with black and then with brown. If wished to produce a finer effect, give a sprinkle of vitriol-water.
RING.
Put about a teaspoonful of vitriol to a cup of the black, and sprinkle coarsely over. If the ring is not sufficiently strong, add more vitriol.
TORTOISE-SHELL.
Wash the cover with yellow, and sprinkle very boldly with black. When dry, spot with a sponge, as before directed, with blue, red, and black, each colour being left to dry before the next is applied.
In concluding the description of the marbles and sprinkles, it may be remarked that, with a little taste, the workman might vary the designs to upwards of one hundred different patterns; also that each colour should be allowed to properly strike into the leather before another is used. Panes, or blank spaces, are formed by placing squares, &c. of pasteboard on the sides, which prevents the colours touching the leather when sprinkling. After the design is completed, the covers should be well rubbed with a woollen cloth or the ball of the hand, to remove the whole of the refuse of the colour, which will be found to corrode on the surface of the leather.