266 Substitute for Pot-ashes in Bleaching. 



rock of our own soil, instead of deflagrating the woods of Ame- 

 rica. As a proof of this, I instanced the production of the 

 three alkalies from the same substance by animalization. 



After many a varied experiment I have completely suc- 

 ceeded ; and have now rendered myself and my country, so 

 far as regards bleaching, perfectly independent of every foreign 

 aid, and at an expense comparatively trifling. Neither pot- nor 

 pearl-ashes are any longer indispensables, — a truly British sub- 

 stance can be substituted in their stead with equal safety and 

 effect. 



I am satisfied this will apologize for my seeming neglect. 

 I remain yours truly, 

 Strathinday Bleachfiekl, April 8, 1823. Gavin Inglis. 



|^° I recollect the circumstances stated by Mr. Inglis in the 

 above letter. I did not conceive myself at liberty to mention 

 them to any one, ajid much less to publish them. I hope, how- 

 ever, that Mr. I. will ere long forward some details calculated 

 to satisfy that inquisitive curiosity which his letter must excite 

 in all who read it. — A. T. 



LXI. Proposal for a new Method of determining a Fixed 

 Unit of Measure, by deducing the same from the Curvature 

 of the Earth. By James Boaz, Esq. of Glasgow. 



To Captain Henry Kater, F.R.S. 

 Sir, 

 "C'ROM the indefatigable zeal and perseverance shown by you 

 -^ in endeavouring to ascertain the true length of the pendu- 

 lum vibrating seconds, as a standard of measure, I can think of 

 no person than you better qualified to estimate the value of the 

 suggestion in the inclosed communication, and to give it effi- 

 cacy, should it seem to merit any further notice. It was read 

 by me before the Glasgow Philosophical Society on the 17th 

 of December 1821. 



I have the honour to be 



Your obedient humble servant, 

 Glasgow, March 21, 1823. James Boaz, Accountant. 



A fixed standard of weights and measures has for many 

 years been much sought after, — one that will remain the same 

 in all ages, and which, even although destroyed, and no vestige 

 of it, or of any former standard, were in existence, could be 

 formed anew at any time, and in any country. An universal 

 unit measure of length once got, measures of greater or lesser 

 lengths, capacities and weights could easily be formed therefrom. 



Lineal 



