The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-09-01
for tbe CHILDREN.
In the Doll Factory.

There is much that may be seen by a
visit to doll factory that would have
for many people all the force of a reve-
lation. Few probably realize what a
number of processes is necessary be-
fore even the tiniest of dolls is ready
for the nursery. There is certainly a
bewildering number of suitable sub
stances Besides the various kinds of
wax, from the best English to the com
moner foreign sorts, there are sperma-
ceti and various kinds of composition;
india-rubber, gutta-percha, wood and
rags, not to mention various iudicious
combinations of these and other mate
rails. But the best dolls are made only
of the best English wax. Then come
the composition dolls, which are much
more durable, and some of which have
their faces protected by a thin piece of
muslin, and so on through the whole
list. 1t is, however, the waXen dolls
that appeal most powerfully to the affec-
tons and the admiration of the girls of
England. The construction of the
moulds in which these are made in
wolves some knowledge of modelling.
The moulds are made of plaster of
Paris, the various sections being deity
joined together with such nicely as to
leave but few marks of the joints. Into
this the melted wax is poured while
still very hot, and thin film immedi-
ately adheres to the sides of the mould,
which is quickly inverted in order that
the molten wax in the center may flow
out. But although this rough mask is
fairly complete in point of outline,
much remains to be done before it can
be regarded as possessing those charms
which are commonly believed to be a
dolls rightful inheritance. The rough
nesses have to be smoothed down, a
distinctive character has to be given to
the mouth and nose, the eyebrows have
to be delicately penciled in; and we
may well cease to wonder that Shakes
peare's lover should have written an
ode " to his mistress eyebrow " when
we see the wonderful effect produced
on dolls face by various arrangements
of brow and lash. Then the eyes
which are like beautiful shells, although
they can be bought by the gross, of any
color and size, have to be fixedin, which
is done by plastering them at the back
with little soft wax. The method of
fastening the hair so as to give it g
natural appearance is one of the bes
tests of the care with which doll has
been made. In the best dolls almost
every strand is attached separately tt
the wax itself, while in the cheaper
kinds wig is roughly stuck on the
dolls head. This is a very importan
point, which doll-worshipers will prop
erly appreciate, for is it not the most
delightful part of dolls daily toile
the brushing and combing of her hair
Then there are many qualities of hair
from the best mohair to common flax
We have said little about the tinging Of
lips and cheeks, processes which in
volve nice appreciation of effect. 81
far doll-fanciers seem to be believers
in the ruddy hue of health, for we hav'
never yet seen an interesting doll
with cheeks of the color of underdon,
pastry. But it would be rash to specu
late upon the future, for the new sci
ence of taste may yet influence evel
the nursery and the doll-trade. Gas
sells Family Magazine for August.