P lipa ration cf Soap f fern Wool. ^.j 



The fiiR wool wliicli is thrown into the foda dilTolves readily ; but it is afterwards feeii that 

 the fluid gradually becomes thicker, and that the diffblution becomes mure diHicult ana 

 flow. 



The firft folutions render tlie liquor green ; after which it becomes black, and the foap, 

 when cooled, preferves a blackiib green colour. 



This foap has been employed in every manner, and under every form, in my manufattnry 

 for dyeing cottons ; and I am at prefent- convinced that it may be fubftituted, inftead of the 

 faponaceous liquid we make from the lixivium of foda and oil, to prepare (appreter) the cot- 

 tons. I have conftantly c-bfervcd, that by diflblving a fuilicient quantity of this foap in cold 

 u-atcr to render the fluid milky, and by working (foulant) the cotton with the apparatus 

 which is v.'t\\ known, it is fuiEcient to pafs the cotton three times through, drying it each 

 time, in order that it may be as well difpofed to receive the dye as that which has been pafTed 

 feven times through the ordinary folution of foap. This will not appear furprifing when it 

 is confidered that animal matters are very proper to difpofe thread and cotton to receive the 

 dye, and that fome of the operations of our dye-works confift fimply in impregnating them 

 with thcfe fubftances. 



It is to be obferved, that cotton which has palTed through a folution of this foap acquires 

 a grey tinge nearly fimilar to what it gains by aluming, while the common foap liquors give 

 it the mod beautiful white colour. But this grey colour is not at all prejudicial to the dye- 

 ing procelTes, as we have remarked in fpeaking of woollens. 



I mud remark, in confirmation of this lafl ufe, wliich I attribute to the foap of wool, that 

 after having impregnated cotton with it by the ordinary procefs, I caufed it to pafs through 

 all the operations to which wool is fubjefled to produce the fcarlet dye. The cotton ac- 

 quired a deep and very agreeable flefh colour ; whereas the cotton which had not received 

 .this preparation came out of the bath with its natural colour. This firll: efTay promifes ad- 

 vantageous refults, which I mean to purfue. 



It may be of fome utility to obferve, that the foap of wool may be beneficially fubflltuted 

 inftead of common foap. In domeflic operations I liave profitably applied it to wafh linen, 

 and particularly woollen garments and other articles. I have no doubt but the facility and 

 .economy which it prefents in its fabrication * will ferve to extend its ufe flill further ; but in 

 tlie mean time I have thought it proper to fliew the various objeds to which I have applied it. 



Ohfervat'wii. 

 As the foap of wool gives a grey tinge to piece-goods, which it is dilEcuIt to eradicate, it 

 follows, that it cannot be ufed for bleaching linen, unlefs it be made of white wool fcleded 

 and carefully waflied. 



ingcnmmon full, will be found to contain the combination of marine acid and vigetaiile alkali. I do not know if 

 rhir. has been (hown to be really the cafe, nor whether tliis indircft proceO. be of much value. If it be fully as 

 here ftoted (which 1 doubt), our foaps mud owe their inferiority to thole of Spain to the animal oil they contain, 

 and not to their alkali. N. 



• The etfcft of the Excifc Laws in Britain confines the manufatlurc of foap to premifcs regiftered in form, 

 and regularly vifited. What the general cffeas of this arrangement may prove on our great national maimfaaurc 

 of wooUcni, more cfpecially if the prefent invention iliould ami)ly come up to the cxpcaations here excite*, 

 .ii a <iucflion that well dcfcrvts to beinveflijjated. N. 



OZ .XI. iTx/nr* 



