The best white that is pretended to be sold for painting in water colours, is flake -white, which is better than white lead ground; and if it be pure, far exceeds it in beauty, because white lead is apt to turn blackish, especially if it be used in a hard water.,But some recommend a white made of pearl or the whiter parts of oister-shells, reduc'd into an impalpable powder so soft, as to feel like grounds of starch or hair powder: this is by some call'd pearl-white; but it is difficult to be come by. This -white will mix well with any colour.,But if you use white lead, first rectify it with white wine vinegar, this will cause a fermentation, and the white will soon settle; then pour off the -vinegar, and wash it with common water. The method of washing it is thus:,Put the Powder into a glass of water, stir it about, and presently pour off the water, while it is white, into some other clean glass or vessell let it settle, and then pour off the water from it, and it will be excellently fine.,When this white is settled, put to it as much gum-water as is necessary to bind it or give it a glaze.,It is observable, that white lead will turn black, if mix'd with water that comes from iron or clay; that is, in the space of a month or two, you may perceive those places where it lies thickest ring'd with black, and if it be mix'd with any other colour it will soon change or alter it.,Some recommend the powder of egg-shells of the brightest colour and well clean'd and wash'd, as very good to be ground vvith gum water; or you may put about a twentieth part of clear white sugar candied to grind with it in water; grind it as fine as possible, that is, to the state of what is call'd an impalpable powder, and then use it.,Some say it is better, if some rectified spirits of wine be pour'd on it, which will clear it from any dross that may be in it; this (as it is very probable) must be pour'd off, when the spjrit of wine has done its work, and then the parts left behind, must be mix'd with gum-water again.,,