CÆMENT, in a general sense, any glutinous substance, capable of uniting and keeping things together in close cohesion: in this sense, under cement, are comprehended mortar, folder, glue, &c. but, strictly speaking, the term cement only denotes a glutinous composition, used in cementing broken glasses, china-ware, or earthen-ware.
One of the finest, and at the same time strongest cement for this purpose, is the juice of garlic stamped in a stone mortar: this, if the operation is done with care, leaves little or no mark. Another cement is made by beating the white of an egg very clear, and mixing with it fine powdered quick-lime: or ifing-glass, powdered chalk, and a little lime may be mixed together,
and dissolved in fair water. With these, the glasses, &c. are to be cemented, and then set in the shade to dry; a caution which should always be observed, whichever of the above cements is used.
A cement for cracked chemical-glasses, that will stand the fire, may be thus prepared: take wheat flour, fine powdered Venice glass, and pulverized chalk, or each an equal quantity; of fine brick-dust, one half of the said quantity; and a little scraped lint: mix them all together with the whites of eggs; then, spreading this mixture upon a linen cloth, apply it to the cracks of the glasses, which must be well dried before they are used. Old varnish is another cement that will answer the same purpose.