Chapter I: Preface

To insist on the utility of the present Manual is, assuredly, superfluous. The favourable reception of the first edition, sometime since out of print, has stimulated the author to revise the work throughout, and to render it more deserving the public approbation. The _Appendix_ to the first edition now forms a part of the _Introductory Chapter_, to which it naturally belongs; to the whole have been added such improvements as the present advanced state of knowledge, and particularly chemical knowledge, has rendered absolutely necessary; and which the _practical dyer_ will find of considerable importance and much utility.

The following _letter_ from the late SIR HUMPHRY DAVY, the first chemist of the age, appeared in the Preface to the first edition; it is here again reprinted as some proof of the sufficiency of that learned man's judgment, at least concerning the chemical theory of the art of dyeing.

_No. 16, Berkeley Square_, _June 18, 1823_.

SIR,

I am very much obliged to you for your liberal communication on a subject of my Lectures: I will attend to the information you are so good as to give me in the next Edition.

I am Sir, Your obliged and obedient servant, H. DAVY.

MR. T. PACKER, _Stamford Street, Black-Friars Road_.

The author has only to add, that an Index is now appended to the work, by which every article may be most readily and conveniently found.

_London, Nov. 1829._

ERRATUM. Page 22, line 3, for _proximate_ read _ultimate_.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.

PAGE

On the different branches of dyeing—On the drugs used in dyeing—On vegetable and animal substances—On substantive and adjective colours, and mordants—And on the leading facts of chemical science as connected with the art of dyeing—On the calico printer's mordant for yellow and red, and on compound colours—On bleaching—On the theory of fast and fugitive colours—On dye-houses and water—Miscellaneous observations 1

CHAPTER II.

ON DYEING COTTON.

To dye cotton a Saxon or chemic blue—Sulphate of Indigo—Saxon or chemic green—To set a cold indigo vat—Another Indigo vat—To dye cotton a fast green with the cold indigo vat and weld—Another cold blue vat for linen and cotton—solution of indigo for penciling printed muslin, &c.—To dye cotton a fast buff—To dye cotton pink 47

CHAPTER III.

ON DYEING SILK.

To alum silk—The blue vat of indigo for silk—Another blue vat for silk—To dye silk violet, royal purple, &c.—To dye silk lilac—Another process for lilac—Another process for dyeing muslin, &c. lilac—To dye silk a violet or purple with logwood—To dye silk violet with Brazil wood and logwood—To dye silk violet or purple with Brazil wood and archil 63