In repainting and re-lacquering a half-tester bedstead it is necessary that first the brass headrail and footrail be taktn to pieces. Thoroughly clean off the whole of the old paint with a shavehook or other tool, then rub down the iron perfectly smooth. Mix a quantity of one of the following mixtures: (1) Ivory black and shellac varnish. (2) Melt 1/2 lb. of asphalt urn, and add 1 lb. of hot balsam of copaiba, and when mixed . thin down with hot oil of turpentine. (3) Grind ivory black very smooth with turps on a marble slab with a muller, and add copal varnish till the paint is of the proper consistency; sufficient varnish only must be used to cause the colours to bind and dry firm and work free without becoming either sticky or shiny. The ironwork must then be carefully painted with the varnish by means of a camel-hair brush. About three to five coats must be given, each coat being dried in an oven heated to about 300 F., and if possible the heat must be gradually increased, but not to such a point as will calcine the paint. 'When sufficient body has been laid on, the work will be ready for polishing; this is done in most, eases by rubbing down with a piece of felt dipped in tripoli or very finely powdei'ed pumice-stone. Towards the end of the rubbing add a little oil, and when the work appears bright and glossy rub with oil only.

Care must be taken that there is no grit in the polishing medium, or (he work will be scratched all over and spoilt. Finish oil' with a soft cotton or silk duster. The brass part of the bedstead mus1 be boiled lor about twenty minutes in a. strong solution of soda or potash - say1/2 lb. of potash and 1 gal. of water; then well wash in clean cold water and dry. If the old lacquer has been removed, dip the parts in aquafortis by means of brass tongs; when quite bright and clean, plunge in clean cold water, and dry in warm sawdust. The re-lacquering may then be done. It will be better to obtain the lacquer ready made. It must be applied with a large flat camel-hair brush, and the pieces of tubing laid on a hot stove or in an oven to set the lacquer. The various parts of the rails may now be put together, and the bedstead set up again.