an instrument made of bristles, hair, wire, or small twigs, to clean cloaths, rooms, &c., and also to paint with. There are various sorts of them, distinguished by their shape or use. In the choice of painters brushes, observe whether the bristles are fast bound in the stocks, and if the hair be strong and lie close together; for if they sprawl abroad, such will never work well; and if they are not fast bound in the stock, the bristles will come out when you are using them, and spoil your work, as may be seen where the loose hairs of the brush have lain up and down in the colours laid on, to the great detriment of the work.

Wine-brushes are of use for scrubbing those silver, copper, and brass pieces, which are to be gilded over, in order to clear them perfectly from any dirt, rust, or filth, which may adhere to them, and, if not brushed off, would hinder the shining of the gold with them. They are therefore used by gilders, silversmiths, &c., and are usually sold by ironmongers. Beard-brushes pay a duty, on importation, of 1s. 3½d. the gross or twelve dozen; whereof 1s. 1½d. is drawn back on exporting them. Comb-brushes pay 2s. 6½d. for the same number; and of this 2s. 3d. is repaid. Head-brushes pay 1s. 3½d. the dozen; rubbing-brushes 3½d. the dozen; weavers-brushes 11½d. for the same number; in all which a proportional drawback. drawback is allowed. However, it is to be observed, that brutes are among the number of goods prohibited to be imported.