nd enjoying at
the same time the pleasure of swimming, I returned, and loosening from
the stake the string, with the little stick which was fastened to it,
went again into the water, where I found that, lying on my back, and
holding the stick in my hand, I was drawn along the surface of the
water in a very agreeable manner. Having then engaged another boy to
carry my clothes round the pond, to a place which I pointed out to him
on the other side, I began to cross the pond with my kite, which
carried me quite over without the least fatigue, and with the greatest
pleasure imaginable. I was only obliged occasionally to halt a little
in my course, and resist its progress, when it appeared that by
following too quickly, I lowered the kite too much; by doing which
occasionally I made it rise again. I have never since that time
practised this singular mode of swimming, and I think it not
impossible to cross, in this manner, from Dover to Calais."

1412. Using Life-Belts.

Those who prefer the Aid of Belts will find it very easy and safe to
make belts upon the plan explained in _pars_. 1370, 1371; and by
gradually reducing the floating power of the belts from day to day,
they will gain confidence, and speedily acquire the art of swimming.

[A CHILD IS THE BRIGHTEST RAY IN THE SUNSHIRE OF THE PARENT'S HEART.]

1413. Staining.--General Observations.

When _alabaster, marble,_ and other _stones_ are coloured, and the
stain is required to be deep, it should be poured on boiling hot, and
brushed equally over every part, if made with water; if with spirit,
it should be applied cold, otherwise the evaporation, being too rapid,
would leave the colouring matter on the surface, without any, or very
little, being able to penetrate. In greyish or brownish stones, the
stain will be wanting in brightness, because the natural colour
combines with the stain; therefore, if the stone be a pure colour, the
result will be a combination of the colour and stain.

In staining _bone_ or _ivory_, the colours will take better before
than after polishing; and if any dark spots appear, they should be
rubbed with chalk, and the article dyed again, to produce uniformity
of shade. On removal from the boiling hot dye-bath, the bone should be
immediately plunged into cold water, to prevent cracks from the heat.

If _paper_ or _parchment_ is stained, a broad varnish brush should be