122 



NOTICES OF BOOKS. 



The odours here alladed to are the natural odours of plants. The object 

 of this book is to describe the mode of collecting and preserving these 

 odours, so as to have them always at command, and more, how the 

 odour of one particular plant is to be imitated 'by the use of other plants 

 and other substances ; for instance, that of Heliotrope is made, or imi- 

 tated, by Almonds and Vanilla ; and i\iQ,Extrait de Heliotrope, as sold in 

 the shops of Paris and London, " is really a very nice perfume, passing 

 well with the public for a genuine extract of Heliotrope." Now all this 

 is produced in the laboratory, and for this we are indebted to chemistry ; 

 and the history and mystery of the perfumery trade are here candidly 

 laid before the public by one largely engaged in it, and in a way which 

 does him much credit. M. Piesse accounts for the art of perfumery 

 having attained so little distinction in this country by the secrecy that 

 has been so long maintained regarding the various modes of prepara- 

 tion ; and he agrees with Professor Solly that " it is a great mistake to 

 think that a successful manufacturer is one who has carefully preserved 

 the secrets of his trade, or that peculiar modes of effecting simple 

 things,— processes unknown in other factories, and mysteries beyond 

 the comprehension of the vulgar,— are In any way essential to skill as a 

 manufacturer, or to success as a trader." * Another reason, however, 

 for the art of perfumery having attained so little celebrity among us, 

 is perhaps to be found in the unsuitableness of our climate, to the fully 

 eliminating the odours of many plants. The finest perfumes come from 

 the southern regions. "The south of Europe is the only garden of 

 utihty to the perfumer. Grasse and Nice are the principal seats of the 

 art, and, from their geographical position, the grower has at command 

 that change of climate best fitted \o bring to perfection the plants re- 

 quired for his trade." 



The Preface and the Introductory Section say much in praise of 

 perfumery ; and we are assured that in neglecting to tutor the olfactory 

 nerve, we are constantly led to breathe impure air, and thus poison 

 the body by neglecting the warning given at the gate of the lungs. 

 Persons who use perfumes are more sensitive to the presence of a vi- 

 tiated atmosphere than those who consider the faculty of smelling as 

 an almost useless gift. We certainly know many who consider it any- 

 thmg but a blessing to have the olfactory nerves so sensitive of odours, 

 inasmuch as the less agreeable of these are the most prevalent, espe- 

 cially in cities and great towns : it would be otherwise were delicious 

 odours more widely diffused. 



