350 ECONOMIC PRODUCTS EXHIBITED AT IRONMONGERS' HALL. 



for the introduction of its African rival, in which great virtue must 

 undoubtedly reside, if it really acts as a remedy and alleviant in the putrid 

 fevers of that unhealthy climate. The subject is at least worthy of receiving 

 some notice from our eminent pharmaceutical chemists. It is also quite 

 possible that the mucilaginous and acid properties of this fruit might be 

 found useful in the flavouring of soups, sauces, and other culinary prepara- 

 tions. When required for the table, the nuts would naturally be imported 

 just as gathered from the tree ; but for other economical purposes, it might 

 be well to have the juice expressed from the fresh fruit on the spot, or the 

 pulp dried and pulverised, as experience would dictate to those engaged in 

 the traffic. 



Other parts of the Baobab tree have economic uses ; but I have pur-> 

 posely avoided any allusion to them in this paper, to avoid confusion... . . :.. 



NOTICE OF ECONOMIC PRODUCTS EXHIBITED AT 

 IRONMONGERS' HALL. 



BY T. D. ROCK. 



Public feasting, like public fasting, is decidedly on the wane, and men 

 of intelligence are beginning to discover the many sources of pleasure and 

 profit which are far more really enjoyable than the gross indulgences of a 

 dinner-table. Even our public corporations, always famous for their hos- 

 pitable cheer, are awaking to a manly sense of shame that so much valuable 

 time and money should be squandered over a meal ; and the admirable 

 example recently afforded by the Ancient and Honourable Ironmongers' 

 Company is so well deserving of praise and worthy of imitation, that we 

 most sincerely hope the other corporate bodies of this vast city will follow 

 suit, and spend some portion at least of their inexhaustible wealth in a 

 similar manner, so as to earn the thanks and intelligent approval of their 

 fellow-citizens. 



Many of the readers of the Technologist, doubtless, had an opportunity 

 afforded them, by the liberal courtesy of the Ironmongers' Company, 

 of inspecting the rich, varied, and rechercM collection of Antiquities 

 collected in the early part of last month at the Hall of the Company 

 in Fenchurch street, on the occasion of a grand Conversazione, and which 

 was afterwards thrown open to public admission by members' tickets for 

 three consecutive days. So rare a concentration of antique valuables was, 

 perhaps, never before seen under one roof. Contributors from all parts of 

 the country lent their treasures for the occasion, amongst whom the mem- 

 bers of the Company themselves figured prominently, including Sir C. Price, 

 Messrs. Slade, Howard, Perm, Baily, S. W. Silver, Tatham, Pellatt, &c. ; 

 whilst even our Gracious Sovereign and her Royal Consort helped to swell 

 this triumph of mind over matter : and so numerous were the articles 

 exhibited, that a mere descriptive enumeration would alone fill a moderate- 

 sized volume. ... 



