CONTENTS xxi. 



Mainwaring, a Cheshire family Schooldays 

 in Dublin At fourteen apprenticed to 

 Micheltree, wholesale chemist and druggist, 

 in Dublin When seventeen (1810) lost his 

 father Determined to obtain a cavalry 

 commission, but was unsuccessful Refused 

 one in an infantry regiment Went to Spain 

 At Salamanca three days after the battle 

 (22nd July, 1812) The fever that broke out 

 in General Hill's army attacked young 

 Muspratt Lisbon Appointed midshipman on 

 board the " Impetueux " Deserted Landed 

 at Mumbles, and made his way back to 

 Ireland His father's estate still in Chancery 

 Literary and artistic tastes Eliza O'Neill, 

 the celebrated actress Born at Drogheda, 

 1791 Her romantic story She and Samuel 

 Lover, and especially James Sheridan Knowles, 

 friends of James Muspratt When twenty-five 

 commenced making chemicals Was joined by 

 a Mr. Abbott The story of Nicolas Leblanc, 

 born 1753, at Issoudun The Duke of Orleans, 

 his interest in the chemical discoveries of 

 Leblanc The Duke executed Leblanc, 

 plunged in cxtuMiie poverty, committed suit ido 

 when an inmate of a workhouse Duty of 30 

 a ton taken off salt, 1823 Muspratt leaves 

 Dublin Comes to Liverpool Manufacture 

 at first prussiate of potash, then extended to 

 \vnrk Leblanc's process Prejudice against use 

 of soda Joined Josias Christopher Gamble at 

 St. Helens, 1828 St. Helens at that time- 

 Dissolves partnership with Gamble, and started 



