Lead. 233 
caustic by means of quicklime is superceded, and the 
trouble and ex pence greatly economized. 
I prognosticate, that whoever will commence in this 
country, the manufacture of white lead connected with 
the manufacture of cyder-white-wine vinegar — -or the 
manufacture of white lead by the decomposition of alka- 
line neutral salts, connected with the making of hard 
soap— -will, if there be sufficient capital, skill and Indus* 
try, make a profitable concern. 
We have no business in this country when peace comes* 
to import lead from England. The Louisiana country 
is amply sufficient to supply all our wants : and ere long, 
the atlantic states will be supplied from thence not merely 
with blue lead, but with red lead, massicot, litharge, 
white lead, and shot ; for all which, the materials and com 
veniencies of situation are abundant in that country. 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine , May, 1-809. 
Sir— I am informed that, in consequence of an alter- 
ation (lately made) in the process of drying White Lead \ 
the health of the labourers, in an extensive manufactory 
in the neighbourhood of London, has been very materi- 
ally benefitted— the fatal constipation of the bowels , so 
common amongst them, having much decreased, which 
is attributed in a great measure, if not entirely, to this al- 
teration. The different mode of drying the lead adopted 
is (if I understand the matter right), that instead of laying 
it on chalk, it is now poured into earthen- ware pans, and 
left to dry in them ; the lead does not undergo nearly so 
much handling as before, and the fine particles of it, 
which used to float in great abundance about the room, 
are not perceived in such dense clouds as they used to 
be ; this dust entering the mouth was one principal cause 
of the diseases to which the workmen were liable. By 
means of your miscellany, I wish to give publicity to the 
Vol. Ill, Gg 
