This section is from the book "Spons' Mechanics' Own Book: A Manual For Handicraftsmen And Amateurs", by Edward Spon. Also available from Amazon: Spons' Mechanics' Own Book.
(1) Take equal parts precipitated subcarbonate of iron, and prepared chalk.
(2) An impalpable rouge may be prepared by calcining the oxalate of iron.
(3) Take quicksilver with chalk, 1/2 oz., and prepared chalk 2 oz., mix them. When used, add a small quantity of spirits of wine, and rub with chamois leather.
(4) Put sulphate of iron into a large tobacco pipe, and place it in a fire for 1/4 hour, mix with a small quantity of powdered chalk. This powder should be used dry.
(5) The following makes a liquid polish for silver plate - 3 to 4 dr. cyanide of potassium, 8 to 10 gr. nitrate of silver, and 4 oz. water; apply with a soft brush, wash the object thoroughly with water, dry with a soft linen cloth, and polish with a chamois skin. Neither whiting nor powder of any kind should be used for cleaning and polishing - they only waste and scratch the silver.
(6) Take 2 oz. hartshorn powder and boil it in 1 pint water; soak small squares of damask cloth in the liquid, hang them up to dry, and they will be ready for use, and better than any powders.
(7) Add by degrees 8 oz. prepared chalk in fine powder to a mixture of 2 oz. spirits of turpentine, 1 oz. alcohol, 1/2 oz. spirits of camphor, and 2 dr. aqua ammonia; apply with a sponge, and allow it to dry before polishing.
(8) Mix together 1 oz. fine chalk, 2 oz. cream of tartar, 1 oz. rottenstone, 1 oz. red-lead, and 3/4 oz. alum; pulverize thoroughly in a mortar. Wet the mixture, rub it on the silver, and, when dry, rub off with a dry flannel, or clean with a small brush.
(9) An excellent preparation for polishing plate may be made in the following manner : - Mix together 4 oz. spirits of turpentine, 2 oz. spirits of wine, 1 oz. spirits of camphor, and 1/2 oz. spirits of ammonia. To this add 1 lb. whiting, finely powdered, and stir till the whole is of the consistency of thick cream. To use this preparation with a clean sponge, cover the silver with it, so as to give it a coat like whitewash. Set the silver aside till the paste has dried into a powder; then brush it off, and polish with a chamois leather. A cheaper kind may be made by merely mixing spirits of wine and whiting together.
 
Continue to: