121 



produced, suitable for use in the manufacture of fine pale 

 yellow soaps. That process was patented and afterwards 

 worked on a large scale. 



Mr. Hunt subsequently became a partner with Mr. Pochin 

 and Mr. Barlow in the large Bleaching, Dyeing, and Finish- 

 ing Works at Stakehill, where, as well as at the Chemical 

 Works, Mr. Hunt's knowledge of manufacturing processes 

 rendered his advice and help of great value. 



He was of a most genial disposition, making no enemies, 

 but attaching to himself very many friends, all of whom 

 deeply deplore his early death. 



Mr. Peter Spence, J.P., F.C.S., was born at Brechin, For- 

 farshire, in 1806, and died 7th July, 1883. His forefathers 

 had for time immemorial occupied a farm on the Grampian 

 Hills. 



Early in life, while apprenticed to a grocer in Perth, he 

 evinced great fondness lor chemical experiments, and as he 

 grew up his chemical propensity asserted itself more and 

 more strongly. Like many young Scotchmen of that gene- 

 ration he was an active member of a debating society. He 

 also wrote numerous poems. Some of these, having many 

 years afterwards and unknown to him been handed to the 

 Editor of the Athenaeum, were reviewed in very commenda- 

 tory terms. He for some time took a situation in the 

 Dundee Gas Works, and in 1834 commenced business in 

 London as a chemical manufacturer. His enterprise there, 

 however, not proving successful, he removed to a chemical 

 works at Burgh-by-Sands, near Carhsle, where, in 1845, 

 after a patient and protracted course of experiments, he 

 discovered his well-known process for the manufacture of 

 alum from the refuse shale of collieries and the waste 

 ammoniacal liquor of gas works. This process was destined 

 to so completely revolutionise the alum manufacture origi- 

 nally introduced by Sir Thomas Chaloner, from the Papal 

 Statesj in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, that it had the 



