I tried my hand at Mrs. Beeton's Furniture Polish this week, drawn to the simplicity and vintage charm of the recipe. I was struck by how the spirits of salts and muriatic antimony gave the mixture a pleasingly astringent scent, quite unlike any modern polish I've encountered. It reminded me of the old apothecaries' shops, where the air was thick with the smell of exotic chemicals. This polish is for the traditionalist, the person who appreciates the craft of home maintenance. It brings a lovely sheen to wood, and the vinegar cuts through any existing grime beautifully. I found that it required a bit more elbow grease than modern concoctions, but the results were well worth the effort. I'll be keeping this recipe handy for those pieces of furniture that deserve a touch of old-world care.