PREFACE. WRITTEN to supply a want is a phrase now become so hackneyed, that it is only repeated here because no other words mould so well express the purpose of the writer-which is, to place before the trade a book of instruction on Cabinet-making by a London Cabinet-maker. From the fact of the London trade being divided and sub-divided into so many branches-wardrobe makers, pianoforte-case makers, photographic ap- paratus makers, dining-table makers, telegraphic- case makers, sideboard makers, glass-showcase makers, chiffonier makers, looking-glass-frame- makers, mathematical-case makers, dressing-case makers, toilet-table makers, chest-of-drawers makers, etc., etc.-and each one of these branches taking apprentices, it follows as a natural consequence that there are many workmen who are thoroughly efficient only in the branch in which they have been specially trained. It mill frequently happen, from slackness in a particular branch of trade, or from a other causea, that a workman is compelled to turn his hand to another branch, and he then finds that he must place himself under an obligation to others for instruction. By all such workmen this little book will be found of value, as well as by apprentices and country work- men unaccustomed to many of the branches of the trade treated of in these pages amateurs, also, who take delight in the art will find the book of great service and lastly, it is hoped it may prove useful as a work of reference to the trade in general. The information given is based on an experience of twenty-five years as a general Cabinet-maker, and can be relied upon. All necessary instructions for veneering and inlaying in fancy woods, for both flat and shaped surfaces, will be found here and the process of dyeing veneers throughout their entire thickness, so little known to the trade, is also fully treated of, as well as the working and staining of ivory, marqueterie, buhl-work, etc., and the con- struction of various kinds of dining-tables. Many valuable recipes are also given, and much information of a miscellaneous character, as will be seen from a glance through the following Contents p. v-xii. CONTENTS. . . r DOVETAILINO . . . 3 CommonDovetailing . . . . 4 LapDovetailing . . . . 7 Secret Lap Dovetailing. . . . e r 8 Secret or Mitre Dovetailing . . . . 9 The Double Dovetail . . . . . . 9 MORTISE and TENONING . . . . . . . 11 A AQTIOAL METHOD or CONTRUTIN ANGLBS AND CWVES 18 CONTENTS . PAas VENEERING . ......... 32 32 How to Prepare Veneers before Laying ... 33 MahoganyVeneer ....... 33 Satinwood . . . . . . . 33 Kingwood ........ 33 ManillaWood . . . 33 Zebrawood . . . 33 Ebony and Snake Wood ...... 33 How to Prepare the Groundwork . .... . . . . ..... ........ . . . . ....... . . ...... . . . . . . . . . . . Birds-Eye Maple Veneer 33 Tulipwood 33 PurpleWood 33 CoromandelWood 33 Yacca Wood . . . . . . . . 33 RasewoodVeneer 33 Wainscotoakveneer 33 ...... ThuyaWood . 34 Pollard Oak Veneers 34 Plain Walnut Veneers 34 BurrWalnutVeneere 34 35 Amboynaveneers . ...... LAY IN VENEERS . . . . e . 3 5 Knife-cut and Sawn Veneers. compared . . 37 Laying with the Veneering Hammer . 39 . . . Laying with a Caul . 41 Laying without a Caul Cheap Method 42 How to Veneer French Tables. Cabinets. C., with Shaped Framing . . . . . . . 43 How ta Veneer Round or Circular Work ... 41 DEUORAT IVB FURNSTUBE- -60ntitZced CONTENTS vii . . . . . . . ..... EAQE IvoryWork . 66 To render Ivoq Flexible 66 Bleaching Ivory . . . . . . . 67 PolishingIvory . . . . . . . 67 Staining Ivory Blaok. Blue. Green. Red. Scarlet. VioIet...