thick, and steep it in rose and orange flower waters, to which have been previously added the yellows of some eggs. Work it well, and let it soak for five or six hours; then take out, press and spread it until the morrow, taking care to extend it tightly so as to prevent its shrinking. Again, soak in rose and orange flower water, to which have been added some drops of essence of amber and musk; steep it again in these waters, and after five or six hours' maceration therein, withdraw and press it. Now make a thin mucilage of gum tragacanth in rose and orange flower waters, tinctured with some drops of essence of amber and musk; this done, in a slightly heated mortar, rub up 4 drms. of amber and 4 drms. of musk, with a little of the mucilage first, and gradually add the rest, after the mixture has been well reduced to a paste. In this mucilage soak the skin for a week, giving it a daily kneading, with the spatula, and keeping it well covered all the time;-it is then drawn out, pressed, and carefully spread to dry, pulling it frequently to increase its pliancy, and to prevent shrivelling or shrinking. When the skin is dry, take oz. essence of musk, oz. essence of vanilla, mix them with a little mucilage, and with a camel'shair brush apply a coating thereof, and repeat the

application twice, leaving sufficient interval between the two to permit the drying of the first coat. The skin, as lastly treated, is placed between two papers to dry, gradually, and is then kept between the same papers in close boxes. The remaining mucilage should be preserved, as it can be used in the preparation of odorous waters, as amber, musk, &c. This skin improves by age.

26

CHAPTER XLIX.

OF TOILET AND MEDICATED VINEGARS.

THE best vinegar should be used for these articles; that which is called "white wine vinegar," made by the acetification or oxidation of alcohol, is preferable.

These vinaigres are perfumed and made in two ways, either by distillation or infusion. Distillation, however, is the best mode, for whilst increasing the force of the vinegar, it whitens it.

They are also prepared by solution, that is, by dissolving, for example, 1 oz. of essential oil in a sufficiency of alcohol, and adding it to a quart of vinegar. This is the easiest and most speedy mode of preparing all the kinds of vinegars, each of which will be considered under its respective head.

OF VINEGARS BY INFUSION.-These are either vinegars of flowers or aromatic vinegars.

Vinaigre de toilette, by SINFAR, Paris.

Alcohol 33° B.

White vinegar

8 qts.

2 qts.

Mix together the alcohol, lavender, cinnamon

and cloves, and macerate for eight days; then add the vinegars, cologne, extracts, and ammonia; color, and filter through paper.

Vinaigre rosat.

Dry rose leaves, red

Good vinegar

pint.
8 quarts.

Macerate for two weeks in a closed vessel, and

after that filter.

Vinaigre à la fleur d'oranger.

Fresh orange flowers

Vinegar

13 lbs.

8 quarts.

Brandy, à la fleur d'oranger 1 quart.

Macerate for twelve days, and filter.

Vinaigres infusées à la lavande, de sauge, thyme,

&c. One pound of fresh flowers to 12 quarts of vinegar.

Vinaigres infusées, de menthe poivre, de menthe fine, de mélisse, de baume.-Operate similarly, and in the same proportions as for the preceding. Vinaigre framboise (raspberry).

Fresh raspberries, crushed

Good vinegar

6 lbs.

1 quart.

Macerate for a week, strain without expression, and, after some days, filter.

This vinegar serves for the dinner-table, and also to make vinegaretted raspberry syrups.

The vinegars of other fruits are similarly prepared; but as the subject does not properly belong to the art of which this book treats, the list is not extended.

OF VINEGARS BY DISTILLATION.-The following is one of most general use.--Take

Dry rose leaves

Vinegar

Alcohol a la rose

2 lbs.

8 lbs.
2 lbs.

Distil the roses and vinegar over a sand-bath, and after having drawn off three-fourths of the liquor, arrest the distillation. Color the alcohol with a little tincture of cochineal, and add it to the distilled vinegar. This vinegar is put up in groundstoppered bottles. It refreshes and strengthens

the skin.