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To marble the edges of books or paper

Dissolve four ounces of gum arabic in two quarts of clear water: then provide several colours mixed with water in pots or shells, and with pencils peculiar to each colour, sprinkle them by way of intermixture upon the gum-water, which must be put into a trough, on some broad vessel; then with a stick curl them or draw them out in streaks, to as much variety as required. Having done this, hold the book or books close together, and only dip the edges in, on the top of the water and colours very lightly; which done, take them off, and the plain impression of the colours in mixture will be upon the leaves; doing as well the ends, as the front, of the book the same manner.