18th Century Secrets in Arts, Trades, and Crafts

Primary Source Information - An original work of 1809, transcribed by Anne Post

Main Title, Index and Introduction

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THE EDITOR'S PREFACE

Among those friends of the sciences who discharge their duty in the most becoming manner, the American artists, and professed mechanics, are, undoubtedly entitled to the first rank, as their experiments and productions are of evident, and real utility to their country.

It is but of a late date since those arts and trades which constitute the wealth and commerce of the European Nations, began to receive the encouragement and support of the citizens of the United States, and to increase their lustre, their economical order, and their regular and necessary distribution in this rising empire.

The present work is a  faithful compilation of various secrets in the refined arts and trades; discoveries no way unworthy the attention of Americans.

The art of Engraving, yet in its infant state here, will, if not very materially benefited, at least be settled upon a more permanent basis, by a due observation of the directions and recipes contained in this volume.

The various combinations and compositions of metals; the art of Varnishing, of making mastiches and cementations; curiosities in glass and precious stones; the mixture of colors in painting; the art of gilding; dying wood, ivory, etc. though seemingly of little importance at the first view, will be found useful if not absolutely necessary, towards facilitating the progress of those arts in the United States, where it is hoped that taste and elegance will claim a proportional share of the public's attention and encouragement.

Other matters are added, useful to those who wish to be easily accommodated with the polite and useful necessaries of a frugal life.  They are intended chiefly for those who have had few opportunities to learn the proper methods of making the best use in art, of those things which Nature profusely lavishes for the promotion and increase of domestic felicity.

Many of the following secrets and receipts are derived from the works of the first artists in France, Italy, Germany, and Great Britain; and the labors of several eminent artists here have given great assistance towards rendering them easily to be understood by the most common capacity, and more extensively useful to the infant manufactories of the United States.

That the work might not be altogether uninteresting to that great portion of the people of the United States which constitute the agricultural part, many and valuable essays on agriculture, rural and domestic economy are added, chiefly selected from American works of known and acknowledged estimation and value.

In the confidence that the American public will always be ready to give proper encouragement and support to every work intended to promote the true interest and lasting good of the United States, this work is, without further preface, submitted to his fellow citizens, by the Editor.

This work is transcribed exactly as it was written two centuries ago, therefore many spellings are middle English for the sake of authenticity. Many terms are obscure; I will attempt to provide definitions, explanations, and clarification at the bottom of individual pages. Also, a glossary has been compiled of this obscure terminology as work continues on the transcription.

Additionally, a Google search box is provided for your convenience at the bottom of each page. This will be useful to search for related information on this site as well as researching unexplained meanings of terminology you may come across. I hope you find something useful here.

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