, 1868-04-24
rhe Pe.errntion of fLeather.


A contributor to the Shoe and Leather
Reporter gives some valuable hints in rela-
tion to to the preservation Of leather. The
extreme heat to which most men and women
expose boots and shoes during winter, de-
prives leather Of its vitality, rendering it
liable to break and crack. Patent leather
particularly, is often destroyed in this man
ner. When leather becomes so warm IS to
give of the smell of leather, it is singed.
Next to the singing caused by FIRE heat, is
the heat and dampness caused BY the cover
ing of rubber Close rubber shoes destroy
the life of leather
The practice of washing harness in warm
water aud with soap, is very damaging. If
coat of oil is put on Immediately after
washing, the damage is repaired. No har.
ness is ever so soiled that damp sponge will
not remove the dirt; but, even when the
sponge is applied, it is always useful to add
slight coat of oil by the use of another
sponge.
All varnishes and all blacking containing
the properties of varnsh should be avoided.
Ignorant and indolent hostlers are apt to
use such substances on their harness as will
give the most immediate effect, and these,
as a general thing, are most destructive to
the leather.
When harness loses its luster and turns
brown, which almost any leather will do
after exposure to the air, the harness should
be given a new coat of grain black. Before
using this grain black, the grain surface should
be thoroughly washed with potash water
until all the grease is killed, and after the
application of the grain black, oil and tallow
should be applied TO the surface. This will
not only "fasen the COLOR" but make the
leather flexible. Harness which is grained
can be cleaned with kerosene or spirits of
turpentine, and no harm will result if the
parts affected are washed and oiled immed-
lately afterwards
Shoe leather is generally abused Per
sons know nothing or care less about the
kind of material used, than they do about
the polish produced. Vitrol blacking is used
until every particle of the oil in the leather
is destroyed. To remedy this abuse the
leather should be washed once month with
warm water, and when about half dry,
coat of oil and tallow should be applied, and
the boots set aside for day or two. This
will renew the elasticity and life in the
leather, and when thus used, upper leather
with seldom crack or break.
But leather is not generally properly used.
When oil is applied to betting dry, it does
not spread uniformly, and does not incor>
porate itself with the fiber as when partly
dampened with water. The best way to
oil belt is to take it from the pullies and
immerse it in a warm solution of tallow and
oil. After allowing it to remain few
moments the belt should be immersed in
water heated to one hundred degrees, and
instantly removed. This will drive the oil
and tallow all in, and at the same tine pros
perly temper the leather.
-
SPooNs.-Ben Butler attended one of
Dickens readings at Washington, and took
particular pains to make himself conspicu-
ous The last selection of Dickens on the
occasion was from Pickwick the famous Bob
Sawyer party scene, and there was a point
at which the laugh degenerated into per-
feet roar. Dickens had simply read the fol.
lowing colloquy between Hopkins and Nod
dy-and the audience bad just seen Butler,
and every one knew he was present
Il request that you'll favor me with your
card, sir.7
an do nothing Of the kind, sir"
"Why not, sir?"
"Because you'll stick it up over your
chimney-piece, and delude your visitors into
the false belief that gentleman has been to
see you, sir"
"Sir, friend of mine shall wait Oh you
in the morning"
"Sir, am very much obliged to you for
the caution, and will leave particular in.
structions with the servant to lock up the
spoons"
A MAN recently broke off a marrige be-
cause the lady did not possess good conVer>
sational powers. A cynical editor, in COM