This section is from the book "The Corner Cupboard; Or, Facts For Everybody", by Robert Kemp Philp. Also available from Amazon: The Corner Cupboard; or Facts for Everybody.
Court-Plaster (To Make). Stretch tightly some thin black or flesh-coloured silk in a wooden frame, securing it with packthread or small tucks. Then go all over it with a soft-bristle brush, dipped in dissolved isinglass or strong gum-arabic water. Give it two or three coats, letting it dry between each. Then go several times over it with white of egg.
 
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