Take a pint and a half of linseed oil, and boil it in a copper vessel, not tinned, suspending in the oil a small linen bag, (which must not touch the bottom of the vessel) containing five ounces of litharge, and three ounces of minium well powdered, till the oil acquires a deep brown colour; then take out the bag and substitute another containing six cloves of garlic, then throw into the liquid one pound of yellow amber, after being melted in the following manner: - To one pound of well-powdered amber, add two ounces of linseed oil, and place them on a strong fire. When the fusion is complete, pour it boiling hot into the prepared linseed oil, and let it continue to boil for five minutes, stirring it well; let it stand a short time, then pour off the composition and preserve it, when cold, in stoppered bottles; after having polished your wood and given it the required colour; when perfectly dry lay on the varnish with a fine sponge, give your work three or four coats, letting each coat dry before another is applied.