300 Manual of Chemistry . [No. 124, 



In Europe, where the works of authors are offered for sale, the public 

 have a right to criticise their value, and manner in which the 

 authors have executed their task. In the present case it is far different, 

 the purpose of the work is above criticism, the execution beneath it. 

 The expediency of an attempt to diffuse knowledge will be denied by 

 none, and is indeed the object of the press from which it issues. The 

 imperfections of the execution is a necessary consequence of the limits 

 of the work, and will be attempted to be improved, should public 

 opinion call for another, and more extensive, and of course more ex- 

 pensive edition. 



The practical applications of chemical science for the purpose of trade 

 and gain are very numerous. 



Carbonate of Soda can be readily and cheaply made by simply 

 crystallizing the solution obtained by lixivating the Soda Earth, (Chour 

 Munnoc,) of the soils of many parts of South India. 



Carbonate of Potash can be made by deflagrating Saltpetre with char- 

 coal in an iron pot, (vide description of process under head of Potash 

 from Cocoanut Leaves, Indigo Stocks, &c.) 



Prussiate of Potash can be very readily made in India, as well as in 

 England, and as it costs there 7c?. a pound, and the material required, 

 and the labour are very cheap in India, and the iron pot required easily 

 procured from England, or may be even made in India, it may be made a 

 profitable article of manufacture, (vide description of process of Manu- 

 facture.) 



Acetic Acid may be made from the decomposition of Wood, (vide 

 process), or by the decomposition of Alcohol by powdered Platina, as 

 Dr. Ure informs us is actually and profitably employed in some parts of 

 the Continent of Europe, where Alcohol is cheap, in converting it into 

 vinegar ; it of course can be still more profitably used in India, where 

 Alcohol is still cheaper. Acetate of Soda might be manufactured for 

 importation to England, for the purpose of decomposing it for the ma- 

 nufacture of Acetic Acid, in case the Excise Laws in England should 

 cause a difficulty to the import of the Acetic Acid, or in case Sulphuric 

 Acid cannot be procured at a sufficiently cheap rate in India. 



Muriate of Morphia may be readily made in India, for l-100th part of 

 the price in Europe, as Opium is sold in many parts of India at a very 

 low price. 



