If excuse be needed for presenting a translation of Dr. Bersch’s book at so long an interval after the publication of the original (1893), it must be sought in the paucity of the English literature on the subject. It is hoped that the practical nature of the work will make it acceptable to the English reader.
The subject-matter of the original has been preserved in the translation without alteration or addition, with the exception of an unimportant change in the order of arrangement.
The metric system of weights and measures has been used throughout; for the convenience of those who are not familiar with this system, directions are given in an appendix for converting into English weights and measures.
The section on paint grinding (Chapter LXIX.) is perhaps somewhat incomplete; for a more detailed and modern account of this branch of the subject the reader is referred to Practical Paint Grinding, by Mr. J. Cruickshank Smith, B.Sc., shortly to be issued by the same publishers.
Hull, January, 1901.