This section is from the "Encyclopedia Of Practical Receipts And Processes" book, by William B. Dick. Also available from Amazon: Dick's encyclopedia of practical receipts and processes.
2513. Cheap Brown Marking Ink. A very cheap brown marking ink may be prepared from 4 parts acetate of manganese dissolved in 12 parts water. The place on the linen where the marks have to be made must be previously moistened with the following solution: 1 part yellow prussiate of potash, 1/2 part gum-arabic, 3 parts water. The linen, having been saturated with the above solution, is dried, and afterwards marked with the manganese solution. On the letters becoming dry, the following solution is spread over the spot with a brush : 4 parts carbonate of potash, 10 parts water. The letters then become brown, and their color cannot be removed by alkalies, nor by acids, with the exception of dilute hydrochloric acid.
2514. Carbon Ink. Genuine Indian ink rubbed down with good black ink until it will flow easily from a pen. This ink resists chlorine, and oxalic acid.
2515. Indian or Chinese Ink. The pure article can only be obtained from China. A good imitation may be made with ivory black, ground to an impalpable powder, made into a paste with weak gum-arabic water, perfumed with a few drops of essence of musk and half as much essence of ambergris, and then formed into cakes. (See No. 271G.)
2516. Perpetual Ink for Tombstones, etc.. Equal parts of Trinidad asphaltum and oil of turpentine. Use in a melted state to fill in the letters and devices on tombstones, etc.. "Without actual violence it will last as long as the stone.
2517. To Pulverize Gold and Silver Leaf. This is effected by grinding upon a porphyry slab, with a muller, gold or silver leaves with white honey, until they are reduced to the finest possible state of division.
Then wash the honey thoroughly from the powdered metal and mix with gum water. (-See also No. 25.)
2518. Liquid Gold, for Vellum, etc.. Take gold leaf and grind it with gum water; then add a small quantity of bichloride of mercury, and bottle for use.
2519. Liquid Silver, for Vellum, etc.. Take silver leaf and grind it with gum-water or glaire of egg.
2520. Copying Ink. The virtue of copying ink consists in its non-drying property. This property may be given to any ordinary ink by the addition of sugar. Lately, however, glycerine has been substituted for sugar, and is decidedly to be preferred. A good copying ink may be made from common violet writing ink, by the addition of 6 parts glycerine to 8 parts of the ink. Using only 5 parts glycerine to 8 of the ink, it will copy well in fifteen minutes after it has been used. "With fine white copying paper the ink will copy well without the use of a press.
 
Continue to: