f them upon white tissue paper, in which way both
their colour and their consistence might be minutely ascertained. A
third method was, to add together the respective infusions, and the
solutions of the sulphate of iron, in a very diluted state, by which I
was enabled to form a more correct comparison of the quantity, and of
the state of the colouring matter, and of the degree of its solubility.

The practical conclusions that I think myself warranted in drawing
from these experiments, are as follow:--In order to procure an ink
which may be little disposed either to mould or to deposit its contents,
and which, at the same time, may possess a deep black colour, not liable
to fade, the galls should be macerated for some hours in hot water, and
the fluid be filtered; it should then be exposed for about fourteen days
to a warm atmosphere, when any mould which may have been produced must
be removed. A solution of sulphate of iron is to be employed, which
has also been exposed for some time to the atmosphere, and which,
consequently, contains a certain quantity of the red oxide of iron
diffused through it. I should recommend the infusion of galls to be
made of considerably greater strength than is generally directed; and
I believe that an ink, formed in this manner, will not necessarily
require the addition of any mucilaginous substance to render it of
a proper consistence.

I have only further to add, that one of the best substances for diluting
ink, if it be, in the first instance, too thick for use, or afterwards
become so by evaporation, is a strong decoction of coffee, which appears
in no respect to promote the decomposition of the ink, while it improves
its colour, and gives it an additional lustre.

[2] Chairman of the Committee of Chemistry, in the Society for
the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce. This
valuable article is extracted from the 47th Vol. of its
Transactions.

* * * * *

THE SKETCH-BOOK.

* * * * *

FAIRY FAVOURS.--A VISION OF FAIRY LAND.

(_For the Mirror._)

Once--whether in a dream, a waking vision, a poetical hallucination, or
in sober reality, I know not--_once_ was I favoured with a distinct
and glorious vision of the Faries' Land! I found myself in a country
more enchantingly beautiful than the warm, romantic dream of the poet
has ever yet conceived:--therein bloomed trees,