Take of virgin wax and asphaltum each 2 oz.; of black pitch and Burgundy pitch, each ½ oz.; melt the wax and pitch in a new earthenware glazed pot, and add to them, by degrees, the asphaltum, finely powdered. Let the whole boil, simmering gradually, till such time as that, taking a drop upon a plate, it will break when it is cold, on bending it double two or three times betwixt the fingers. The varnish, being then boiled enough, must be takenoff the fire, and, after it cools a little, must be poured into warm water that it may work the more easily with the hands, so as to be formed into balls, which must be kneaded, and put into a piece of taffety for use.