WATER OF THE OCEAN. 147 



pound foap, let loofe its grcafe, and become unfit for 

 wafhing by aid of that material. 3. If foda or barilla is 

 added to ocean water in fufficient quantity and the water 

 lixiviated or alkalized, the earths will of courfe be pre- 

 cipitated and the acids neutralized. 4. In this ftate, dirty 

 Unen may be clcanfed in it ; and men at fea be thus 

 enabled to have their clothes wafhed without the aid 

 either of foap or of //r/Z» water. 5. For this purpofe, a 

 quantity of barilla or foda fhould always be provided as 

 an article of the (hip's ftores, and iifued to the men on 

 wafhing days. 6. Thus by the operation of this alkaline 

 fait, a great proportion of the naftinefs and infedtion bred 

 in the clothes, bedding and berths of perfons at fea might 

 be prevented, and the crews and paflengers fo far forth 

 preferved from fevers and dyfenteries. 7. No more room 

 would be occupied by water cafks in the holds of veflTels, 

 than at prefent. 8. The fmall quantity of magnefia and 

 lime adhering to clothes wafhed in this way, is an advan- 

 tage over and above what takes place in ufing frefh water. 

 And 9. A broad and noble view is opened of the economy 

 of Providence in diftributing alkaline falts and earths, fo 

 liberally throughout the terraqueous globe. 



Ea^ Riifger's Street^ yuly 4, 1 800. 



No. 



