The edges of the leaves are gilt, on which various Greek devices are painted.

To execute this kind of work properly, the design must be carefully marked out on the covers. The proper tints and shades for the color must be ascertained by trials on waste pieces of the same leather as the book is bound in.

Painting -Another variety of ornamentation for the sides of whole bound books are landscapes. These can of course only be done if the workman be skilled in painting. The volume is prepared by being paste washed, so as to present an uniform fawn color, the designs slightly traced and afterwards colored, according to the pattern, the color being mixed to the proper shade with water. The shades must be tried on pieces of refuse leather, as, being spirit color, when once laid on, no art can soften them down if too strong, and a peculiar lightness of touch will be necessary to produce effect.

Portraits, &c., may also be executed in this manner, and many superb designs have at times been executed by the best binders of France. M. Didot, the celebrated Parisian printer, presented a copy of the "Henriade," published by himself, and most elegantly ornamented in this style to Louis XVIII. It was executed by M. Leniers Belliers, book-binder, of Tours, and exhibited on one side a miniature of Henri IV., and on the other a similar one of Louis XVIII., both perfect likenesses. The greatest difficulty consisted in the portraits, which were first imprinted on paper, very moist, and immediately applied to the cover, on which they were impressed with a Hat roller. When perfectly dry, they were colored with all the art of which the binder was capable, and the other ornamental paintings were executed by hand. This kind of work demands much time and care."

When this style of ornamentation is required, and the workman does not possess the requisite skill to properly paint a landscape, the same, or nearly the same, effect may be attained by the use of "transfer" pictures. The proceeding is as follows: Cut the print intended to be transferred close to the design on the sides. Let it steep in glaire till it is well saturated. During this time, glaire the book twice, letting it dry on each application. Take out the print, place it exactly in the centre of the side cover, and, laying a piece of paper above, rub it sharply on the book, so that it may adhere very closely.

Remove the upper paper, and with the fingers rub off the paper gently until the printed design begins to appear, wetting the fingers in glaire should the paper get too dry. The utmost attention will now be necessary, for the least carelessness in removing the paper that still remains may entirely destroy the design, and the whole of the previous labor be lost. The paper must be gently removed piece by piece, till the design only appears in the leather while damp. When dry, a whiter appearance will be presented, arising from the small particles of paper adhering to the ink; but these will be sufficiently hidden in glairing the side previous to finishing. The extent and variety to which, at a small expense, these designs may be carried, with the finish and beauty given to the sides of the books, render the subject worthy of the ornamental work. man particularly; but he must possess perseverance and carefulness in an eminent degree to carry it to perfection. After the gilding or other ornament is executed, I the side must be finished off in the usual manner. A slight coat of varnish will give a superior finish.

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