As much depends on this part of the operation of joining, I shall give some hints to the workman, that for want of paying proper attention to, however well the work may be executed with regard to its strength or the accuracy of the several joints, will appear but slovenly executed, if the finishing is not well attended to, whether it is intended to remain of the natural appearance of the wood, or afterwards subject to the process of painting or varnishing; and first, with regard to those pieces of work composed of wainscot, oak, or mahogany, here our chief aim is to make the surface perfectly smooth and even; now, in order to avoid a deal of trouble in this part, it will be found necessary, after having glued your framing, etc. together, to let the glue that ooses out and is spilt about, first remain a few minutes to chill, and then you can carefully scrape it off with a chisel; and with a sponge dipped in hot water and squeezed nearly dry, clean out all the quicks and corners that cannot be got at with the chisel; this will not only save a deal of trouble in the after operations, but will prevent a stain that often is left if the glue is suffered to remain till quite hard; particularly on wainscot, which will turn black in every joint or place where the glue has been suffered to remain. After this operation, which, though it may appear tedious to some workmen, will be found in the end a saving of time, let your work remain till perfectly dry, having levelled your joints and other parts with a fine smoothing plane, scrape the whole surface with a smooth scraper, and finish with fine glass paper. It will be sometimes necessary, where the grain is particularly cross, as in some mahogany, to damp the whole over with a sponge to raise the grain, and then again apply the glass paper. Your work will now be ready for polishing with wax, oiling, or varnishing, and according to the pains taken in this part, will the work appear.

Now, with regard to cleaning up deal or fir, the same precautions may be taken with regard to clearing off the glue, and the other parts may be then smoothed with a piece of glass paper that has been rubbed with a piece of chalk, or some workmen prefer, for many parts, to rub with a piece of hearth-stone; it will then be ready for the painter; but as there are many knots and places where the turpentine would ooze out and spoil the appearance of the paint, those parts are done over with a composition which is called priming; this, though properly the painter's business, is often necessary to be attended to by the joiner. The composition in general use for that purpose is made with red lead, size, and a little turpentine; to which is sometimes added, and is an improvement, a small quantity of linseed oil; this prevents the knots showing through the paint. Some workmen omit the oil and turpentine, but that is bad, as the size by itself will be apt to peel off, and not insinuate itself into the parts.

Another good method of cleaning off deal is, after having made the surface quite smooth with the plane, to rub it with a piece of chalk, and with a fine piece of pumice stone to clean the whole as with glass paper, and if the grain should still appear rough, damp the whole with a sponge, let it dry, and repeat the operation.

I have been particular in this place to impress on the workmen the necessity of cleaning up their work well, as the present taste for internal decorations is that of imitating different fine woods and marble, which will not look well unless particular care is taken in making a good surface for the artist to lay his colours on, as every defect in the ground will show itself through them more than in the common way of using a body in the colour, and giving several coats; but even in that case, the work that is well prepared will not only look better, but the colour will not be so apt to chip and peel off, as when the surface is not properly levelled.