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[[left-hand page]] I could not positively say so. Again I supposed it was owing to bad oils, that is "fat oil" and this may have been the cause, as it is quite a sufficient one if they had really used such an oil; but I found their oil (or that with their labels on it) which I bought from Williams & [[?]] to be very limpid, and when ground up by myself with colours, to work delightfully--hence I could scarcely attribute it to the oil. Upon enquiring here at Winsor & Newton's I am informed that no colours ever left their establishment in an impure or imperfect state, and that the oils, colours, &c. are the best of their kind that can be procured. Mr Newton is a chymist and superintends this matter himself--So far as I can learn they are considered the best colour makers in London Their prices are slightly higher than others. Since I have been here I have used their oils, and colours, [[end of left hand page]] [[beginning of right hand page]] and have had not the least complaint to make. They are well ground, of beautiful tones--dry well, and in every respect unexceptional. Their Naples Yellow is not so brilliant as Dechaux's--but Mr Winsor informs me that Dechaux's is not pure Naples Yellow--it is a mixture of white and cadmium--or chrome, which gives a brighter colour than Naples yellow proper. My impression is that the colour is spoiled by heat, and the same of the oils. In the first instance they are exposed to the strong drying or heating properties of their package, storage in close and heating places during their transportation, and again their exposure to our dry atmosphere, in the stores, and especially in our paint boxes. This last exposure you know is a very severe test. Now, when we recall the fact of how rapidly even thick clogs of colours will [[end page]]