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1. White Soap is made of tallow, and the solution of alkalirendered caustic by lime.
2. Brown Soap is made of oil, tallow, rosin, and the causticsolution :—And,
3. Soft Soap is a compound of oil and a solution of potash.
The manufacture of soap is carried on in all the principal
towns in Scotland , the demand for domestic purposes being con-siderable, as well as that for bleaching and exportation. Thesoap manufacture is generally combined with that of candle-mak-ing ; the finer kind of tallow being used for candle, and thecoarser for soap. A great quantity of tallow is imported fromRussia, the shores of the Baltic, and South America ; but theordinary slaughter of cattle generally supplies what is requiredby the inland and less populous districts.
The duty on soap made in Scotland , for the year ending 5thJanuary 1813, amounted to 97,273f. 12s. 7^d., and that on can-dles to IS,190/. 5s. 2|-d.
Mr Mitchell of Edinburgh has introduced a new ingredient inthe manufacture of soap. He prepares a strong jelly from theskins of animals, but particularly from the offal commonly deno-minated scroxus, which is the refuse of the tanners and tawers.To this, he adds a solution of the carbonate of soda, and thecompound is mixed with the materials now in use for makingsoap to the extent of one-fifth part. The advantage of this dis-covery is, that scrows, formerly of little utility, can now be ap-plied to a valuable purpose, besides the quality of the soap beingmuch improved. Mr Mitchell has secured his invention by let-ters-patent; and soap of this description is now extensively ma-nufactured in Scotland .
Starch. —The manufacture of starch was carried to consider-able extent while hair-powder was in fashion ; but of late yearsit has so much declined, that the duty levied on starch, for theyear ending the 5th January 1813, amounted only to 288 Ol. 7s. 4d.
This useful article is a natural production, consisting of mu-riatic acid and soda. It is distinguished into three kinds, pos-sessing similar properties.—1. Fossil, or ltock Salt.—2. BaySalt—3. Sea Salt.
1. Rock Salt is not found in Scotland , but it is very abundantin England ; and immense quantities are imported from Liver-pool for the use of the Scottish Fisheries.
2. Bay Salt is imported from the south of Europe .
3. Sea Salt is produced by artificial evaporation; and about 100salt-pans are established along the shores of the friths and coastsof Scotland , for the purpose of making it. An ordinary sizedpan produces nearly 3000 pounds of salt per week, and requiresfor fuel about 14 tons of small coal, which cost from 4s, to 7s. 6d.