Parts. 
Fatty acids, 57.14
Potash combined with the fatty acids, 10.39
Sulphate of potash, chloride of potassium,
with a trace of carbonate of potash, 4.22
Silica, &c., 0.46
Water, 27.68
-----
99.89
Gewerbeblatt aus Wurttemberg.

* * * * *

MANUFACTURE OF SOAP.

The removal of the duty from soap, and the consequent emancipation of this branch of industry from the tender mercies of the Excise, has given a fresh impetus to the manufacture of this important article of daily use, and enabled some processes to be practically carried out in England, which, previous to the removal of the duty, could not be adopted in this part of her Majesty’s dominions.

It will doubtless appear strange to those unacquainted with the circumstances, that owing to the mode of levying the duty by admeasurement, and not by actual weight, the maker of a particular kind of soap was debarred the privilege of manufacturing in this country.  Fortunately for him, the manufacture of soap being free from all Excise restrictions in Ireland, he was enabled to carry out his process in the sister kingdom, whence it was exported to England, and admitted here on payment of the Customs’ duty, which was the same as the Excise duty on its manufacture here.  All this roundabout method of doing business is now done away with, and no restriction now exists to mar the peace of the soap manufacturer.

Amongst various new processes lately introduced is that of Mr. H.C.  Jennings, which is practically carried out in the following manner:—­

Combine 1000 lbs. of stearic or margaric acid, as free from elaine or oleine as possible, or palmatine, or any vegetable or animal stearine or margarine, at the temperature of 212 deg.  Fahr., with a solution of bicarbonate of potash or soda, specific gravity 1500.  Constantly stir or mix until an intimate combination is obtained, and that the elements will not part when tried upon glass or any other similar substance.  When the mass is cooled down to about 60 deg.  Fahr. add one pound per cent. of liquor ammoniae, specific gravity 880, and one pound per cent. of strongest solution of caustic potash; these are to be added gradually, and fully mixed or stirred until perfectly combined.  Dissolve 15 to 18 pounds per cent. of common resin of commerce, by boiling it with a solution of subcarbonate of potash and common soda of commerce, in equal parts, as much as will give the solution a specific gravity of about 1800, when boiling hot.  Mix these perfectly with the above-mentioned stearic or margaric acids, and carbonated alkali; then add a strong solution of caustic potash or soda, until a perfect saponification is produced.  The dose of caustic alkali will much depend upon the purity of the stearine or margarine employed.  The separation is now effected by using common salt, or sulphate of soda, &c., as is known and practised by soap manufacturers.  If the soap intended to be produced is to be colorless, no resin must be employed, and a larger dose of liquor ammoniae and caustic alkali must be used, according to the dryness of the stearine matters to be operated upon.