[p. 166] On the eighth I went to evergreen with Mr. Hincks to revisit the botanic garden and afterwards to Mr. Penrose198 [who] had been putting up some fusts199 of Columns in a gallery intended to receive plaster casts. They are done in a very economical mode and look exceedingly well; the bases being fixed, a wooden case is made between 2 & 3 feet long not exactly cylindrical but with the proper diminution of the lower part of a column and separating longitudinaly into two parts, this is placed on one of the bases & filled up with fragments of brick, stone, quick lime in Powder and Sand & kept wet as the work goes on. In a few hours this is hard and the case may be taken away and applied upon another base. After all the lower parts are done the case is to be diminished to suit the next part & in Mr. P.'s columns the process is carried no further, but enough is done [p. 167] to shew its aplication to the whole column when this is dry. The surface is to be completed by a thin coat of stucco.
The floor of this room is to be made of Venetian stucco. This according to Mr P.'s receipt is a plaster laid on in two coats. Equal parts of lime which has been slaked for several years, fine sand and pounded bricks are to be well mixed together for the first coat. The second only differs in substituting tiles for bricks & sifting that and the sand very fine. It is to be left smooth with the trowel & while yet soft fragments of marble are thumbed into it. It must be washed from time to time to prevent it from cracking in the drying and when perfectly dry is to be rubbed smooth and covered with Linseed oil. If well done it is expected to have the appearance and the wear of a single slab of marble.