To straighten a round mahogany table that is warped across the centre, first remove the top from the pillar, turn it face downwards, and sponge several times with clean water. Then apply heavy weights or pressure at its highest points for several days, frequently damping the unpolished part. Water should not be allowed to remain on the polished portion. To prevent the top going back again, glue and screw several strengthening bars across. The table should then be washed with common washing soda, a tea-cupful to 1 gal. of water. Smooth down any roughness with glasspaper, wipe over with raw linseed oil, and-clean off with rag. If the top cannot be French polished, it may be improved in appearance by applying, with a camel-hair brush, several coats of spirit varnish made as follows. Orange shellac loz., resin 2oz., gum benzoin 2oz., and methylated spirit 1 pt. A rich red tone is gained by adding one pennyworth of Bismarck brown. Shake frequently till dissolved, and carefully strain through muslin before using.