1793* hints ondomestic economjft 1 03 



Candles made from herring oil. 



About same time I mentioned to you, that a &we« 

 difli boor in the island of Oroust, had succcfsfulljr 

 used a certain proportion of herring oil, along with 

 tallow, to make candles of, and that the smell was 

 not offensive. I have been told that a very little alum 

 was used in the composition j but if the herring oil 

 previously edulcorated, I think it ftiould answer 

 still better. In this procefs I apprehend charcoal' 

 might become a powerful agent ; and if you could 

 suggest any procefs whereby the two following 

 points could be gained, you would do me a favour. 



ij^, To sweeten or edulcorate herring oil, so as ta 

 deprive it of its fetid or rancid quality. And, 



idly^ To reduce, or bring the same oil into the 

 consistence of tallow. 



The first of these may be probably attained by 

 charcoal, and some other ingredients, but the se- 

 cond is perhaps a more ridiculous proposition, I 

 have however to state, that herring oil in its ori- 

 ginal state, afsimulates honey or soft butter, in so 

 much that it has been taken for the latter by 

 some of our own countrymen. Do you think 

 that a small proportion of bees wax, or rosin, boiled 

 up with the oil would bring it into the consistence of 

 tallow ; or are any other ingredients more suitable ? 

 I mean this to be done after the oil is edulcorated. 

 And I can afsure you, if this last point could 

 be gained, you might be supplied with an article 

 for your soap boilers and candlemakers, much cheap- 



