Ashburton, Devonshire.
P. S.--In making the solution on a caustic alkali, perhaps I should have
said that the common carbonate of potass of commerce will do as well as the
common carbonate of soda, if not better, from the probability of its making
a stronger solution.
The following recipe for taking paint off old oak is from No. 151. of _The
Builder_:
"Make a strong solution of American potash (which can be bought at any
colour-shop, and resembles burnt brick in appearance); mix this with
sawdust into a kind of paste, and spread it all over the paint, which
will become softened in a few hours, and is then easily removed by
washing with cold water. If, after the wood has dried, it becomes
cracked, apply a solution of hot size with a brush, which will bind it
well together and make it better for varnishing, as well as destroy the
beetle which is often met with in old oak, and is erroneously called
the worm."
The following is also from the same Number:
"To make dark oak pale in colour, which is sometimes a desideratum,
apply with a brush a little dilute nitric acid judiciously; and to
stain light oak dark, use the dregs of black ink and burnt amber mixed.
It is better to try these plans on oak of little value at first, as, to
make a good job, requires care, practice, and attention."