Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Manuscript

MANUSCRIPT, signifies a book or paper written by hand, as opposed to those which are printed.

Having already pointed out, in the article Deed, the most easy method of restoring written characters that are almost obliterated, we shall at present state a simple contrivance by which, we believe, manuscripts may be rendered legible, though the letters be totally effaced.—First, let the obliterated, paper be slightly moistened with a sponge dipt in cold water, after which some galls finely levigated, are to be sifted over the paper. When it is perfectly dry, the powder should be gently shaken off, or removed with a soft brush: thus part of it will adhere to the former outlines that still exist in the paper, and the letters will immediately re-appear.