WILLIAM GOSSAGE 35 



scientific interest which had no vital con- 

 nection with the advancement of society 

 and human progress. Few trades can com- 

 pare with the alkali trade for the great benefits 

 which it has conferred on society ; it has 

 utilised our natural resources, our sulphur, 

 salt, limestone, sand and coal ; it has afforded 

 occupation to the man of science, the man of 

 business, the mechanic and the labourer : it 

 has given to the people, at lowest cost, glass, 

 and soap, and paper, these articles which we 

 now regard as the very essentials of all 

 civilised life. It was in the promotion of this 

 beneficent trade that Gossage's life was spent. 

 We have followed the path of William 

 Gossage through Burgh-in-the- Marsh, Ches- 

 terfield, Birmingham, Stoke Prior, Swansea, 

 and Widnes, places which now derive an 

 interest from their connection with his 

 memory. He married as a young man, 

 when he was resident at Leamington, and 

 his son is to-day his successor in the business 

 which he founded ; but his home and private 

 life we have not sought to touch, our duty 

 has been to try and faithfully record the steps 

 of his career as an inventor, whose inventions 

 have been of incalculable benefit and value. 

 As a master amongst his workmen he was 



