Smyrna times., 1856-04-30
stLLI 1851 4E M yias
Writing Inks.

Among the many discoveries of the age de.
veloping improvements in almost every branch
of the arts, little has been done by chemical
science to improve and perfect this cart pre-
sentative ofall arts" An Ink perfectly black.
limpid and indellible, has yet to be discovered
Nutgalls appear to be the only really valua-
BILE ingredient in modern inks-the value and
permanence of which depend upon the proper
quantity of gallo acid extra cted from the rails.
being used Units preparation; but nutgalls are
expensive, and ink-makers are apt to increase
their profits by substituting logwood, which
gives large amount Of coloring matter at a
small cost. ... is 8.ve3si .at.
compound of bichromate of potash and the
extract Of logwood, discovered by the German
chemists few years since, makes a limpid ink,
black when first used, at a cost of less than
three cents gallon; but it is a vile dye, to-
tally vaiueless as an ink, fading out on a few
weeks exposure to the light, and becoming H.
legible in few years, however securely kept.
Still, Its cheapness, ease of manufacture, and
apparent good qualities when first made, have
caused it to be extensively manufactured and
sold, particularly in the Western States. The
recipe for its production has been sold by trav-
cling vendors in every considerable town in
the Northern States, as very great secret.
which each particular buyer would make his
fortune by getting exclusive possession of-at
all prices from one to fifty dollars. A cute
Yankee near Boston was victmized to the tune
OF $3.50 for the secret, which he calculated
would make his fortune, by making ink for
nothing. s,1 '- ..
The ink used by the ancients was made with
powdered charcoal, mixed with mucilage and
water, and is indestructible by time but this
lnk IS lmpractcable in this age, when barrels
are used where penfull sufficed ..... ~.
The value of permanent ink cannot be aues-
toned; for state, town and county records, and
the like, it is of vital Importance that the ink
used should be legible in succeeding generations.
Too little attention is paid to this matter by
registers, surrOgates, town clerks and court Off
GERS. A writer in the April number The New
Eng land Historical and GeneaLogieaL MagO-
zine, speaking of the town records of Bolton,
Conn.,, and making suggestions for their preser-
yatlon, &c, says: "Moreover, the ink is fast
fading out" The matter of permanent ink is
attracting much attention in Europe, particu-
larly IN the government offices, records, courts
&c. ...-. ...I ......
Prof. Sharp, of Edinburgh, in a paper re.
Gently read before the Royal Society of Arts
gives the result Of series OF elaborate ex peri
ments designed to test the permanence of wr
ting by exposure to the light and to the action
of The elements. go. 81. ~. ...4 ......
DR.. Chiffon, of New York, has submitted q
number of the principal inks of this country tC
similar trial with view to test their relative
indellble qualities. The result of his expert.
ments is before US in finely engraved fac
simlle of the original paper, upon which the
doctor wrote with four different inks, and then
exposed the writing over five months to the &C
ton of the weather upon the roof of his labo
ratory. l..-a.s -. .fs.. 81 y. ... :. -. -....
This test appears to be conclusive, as far a,
1t goes, as showing what will be the action O
time upon manuscripts in various stages of ex
posure. The matter is suggestive, and of i'm
portance to all who would preserve legible re
cords for future generations.