To straighten a brass curtain pole that has been used for a bay window, first anneal the tube where bent, then load it with lead and, after cooling, pass it through a hole in a firmly fixed bench until the shoulder of the bend rests against the shoulder of the hole. Then pull the tube until it is quite straight against the wood shoulder. Finally, melt out the lead and iepolish and lacquer the tube. When lacquering the tube, first gently heat it, then apply with a brush an even coat of lacquer, and stand it aside free from dust until dry.