CHAP. XXVII.
A curious Method of sealing a Letter, so as not to be opened, by variegating the Seal with different coloured Species of Wax.
Suppose you wish to have your seal of four colours, and that the cartrage of the escutcheon be yellow or or, as well as the crown; the field of the shield or escutcheon, red or gules; the seal itself green or synople, and the supporters, if any, black or sable.
Take off then as many different impressions of your seal as you have kinds of wax to employ, taking care to make them on a very thin paper; this being done, with a pair of scissars cut out of each impression each of the objects that are to be variegated; that is to say, begin by cutting out the shield or escutcheon; and, by wetting it on the back with the tip of your tongue, place it on your seal over that part it represents; then do the same for the cartrage of the shield, as likewise for the supporters; and when all is well ranged, take the green wax, which is to represent the ground of the seal, and melt it as you usually do to seal a letter; then placing the seal on it that has in the mouldings the different objects which are to vary your seal, each of these objects will be found placed naturally, and will form a seal of four colours.
If any body should attempt to break open the letter by heating the wax, the different colours in melting must mix and discover evidently the infidelity by their confusion.