Page 46 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

18 CHINESE PORCELAIN.

provided with a painted board, upon which they practise with
a brush in blackened water, until the
dipped they acquire easy
and so difficult to attain in
style symmetrical shape writing
Chinese. The articles used in writing, collectively called wan
fang sz pau, or ' four precious things of the library,' are the
and ink-stone. The best are made
pencil, ink, paper, pencils
of the hair of the sable and fox, and ones from
bristly cheaper
the deer, cat, wolf, and rabbit. A combination of softness and
elasticity is required in the pencils, and those who are skilled
in their use discern a difference and an excellence
altogether
imperceptible to a novice. The hairs are laid in a regular
manner, and when tied up are brought to a delicate tip ; the
handle is made of the of a bamboo cultivated for the
twigs
known as India ink, is made from
purpose. The ink, usually
the soot of oil, pine, fir, and other substances, mixed
burning
with and and scented. It is cast or
glue isinglass, pressed
into small cakes or inscribed with a
oblong cylinders, usually
name and advertisement ; and the best kinds are put up in
a tasteful manner. A error obtained
very singular formerly
credence this ink, that it was from the
regarding inspissated
fluid found in the cuttle-fish. When used, the ink is rubbed
with water upon argillite, marble, or other stones, some of
which are cut and ground in a beautiful manner. Most of
the paper used is made from the bamboo by triturating the
woody fibre to a pulp in mortars after the pieces have been
soaked in mud, and then taking it up in moulds. The pulp
is sometimes mixed with a little cotton fibre, and inferior sorts
are made from cotton, or from the bark of the
entirely paper
tree The made from bamboo is soft and
(Broussonetia). paper
thin, of a yellow tint, and when wetted has little consistency ;
no
sizing is put in it."