Author's Preface

Early in the present century the method generally adopted for polishing furniture was by rubbing with beeswax and turpentine or with linseed−oil.  That process, however, was never considered to be very satisfactory, which fact probably led to experiments being made for the discovery of an improvement. 

The first intimation of success in this direction appeared in the Mechanic's Magazine of November 22, 1823, and ran as follows: "The Parisians have now introduced an entirely new mode of polishing, which is called plaque, and is to wood precisely what plating is to metal.  The wood by some process is made to resemble marble, and has all the beauty of that article with much of its solidity. It is even asserted by persons who have made trial of the new mode that water may be spilled upon it without staining it."  Such was the announcement of an invention which was destined ultimately to become a new industry.

The following pages commence with a description of the art of French Polishing in its earliest infancy, care having been taken by the Author, to the best of his ability, to note all the new processes and manipulations, as well as to concisely and perspicuously arrange and describe the various materials employed, not only for French polishing but for the improving and preparation of furniture woods, a matter of great importance to the polisher.

The arts of Staining and Imitating, whereby inferior woods are made to resemble the most costly, are also fully treated, as well as the processes of Enamelling, both in oil−varnishes and French polish, together with the method of decorating the same.  The condition of the art of polishing in America is dwelt upon, and various interesting articles written by practical polishers in the States, which appeared in their trade journal, The Cabinet−maker, have been revised and printed in this work. 

A number of valuable recipes, and other instructive matter, useful alike to the amateur and to the practical workman, are also given.