kind of painted or carved work, resembling that of Japan, only more gaudy.

There are two sorts of Bantam, as well as of Japan work. As, in the latter, some are flat, lying even with the black, and others high and embossed; so, in Bantam-work, some are flat and others in-cut, or carved into the wood, as we find in many large screens: with this difference, that the Japan artists work chiefly in gold and other metals; and those of Bantam generally in colours, with a small sprinkling of gold here and there: for the flat Bantam-work is done in colours, mixed with gum-water, proper for the thing designed to be imitated. For the carved, or in-cut kind, the method of performing it is thus described by an ingenious artist: 1. The wood is to be primed with whiting and size, so often till the primer lie near a quarter of an inch thick; then it is to be water-plained, i.e. rubbed with a fine wet cloth, and, some time after, rubbed very smooth, the blacks laid on, varnished up with a good body, and polished well, though with a gentle hand. This done, the design is to be traced out with vermilion and gum-water, exactly in the manner wherein it is intended to be cut; the figures, trees, buildings, &c. in their due proportion: then the graver is applied, with other tools, of proper shapes, differing according to the workman's fancy: with these he cuts deep or shallow, as is found convenient, but never deeper than the whiting lies, the wood being never to feel the edge of the instrument. Lines, or parts of the black, are still to be left for the draperies, and other outlines, and for the distinction of one thing from another; the rule being to cut where the white is, and leave the black untouched. The carving being finished, then take to the pencil, with which the colours are laid into the cut-work; after this, the gold is to be laid in those places which the design requires; for which purpose, a strong thick gum-arabic water is taken and laid with a pencil on the work; and, while this remains wet, leaf-gold is cut with a sharp smooth edged knife, in little pieces, shaped to the bigness and figure of the places where they are to be laid. These being taken up with a little cotton, they daub them with the same close to the gum-water, which affords a rich luster. The work thus finished, they clear up the black with oil, taking care not to touch the colours. The European workmen ordinarily use bras-duft, which is less bright and beautiful.

Bantry, Bantry, a town of Ireland, in the county of Cork, and province of Munster. It is seated on a bay of the same name, in W. Long. 9. 15. N. Lat.