The Sun.
London, England, 1845-04-21 00:00:00

NEW MODE OF TANNING
LEATHER.

Dr. Turnbull, who is well known to the public for
important discoveries in the treatment of diseases, and
who has effected the most extraordinary-cures of tic
donloureux, deafness, and blindness, has lately turned

his chemical knowledge to useful purposes in another
respect. The tanning of leather is well known to all
persons acquainted with the subject to be a most tedious
arid expensive process, but it appears from the patent
which Dr. Turnbull has obtained that it is not only ex-
pensive but conducted on the most erroneous principles.
We cannot enter into the details of tl.e process, and
besides they would not, be generally understood by
our readers, but the following outline of the
discovery may be comprehended by all, and will probably
induce those interested to turn their attention to the
subject. The extract embodies the principles for which
he has obtained his patent :
"My method of extracting the lime from hides or
skin., when the hair has been removed by lime, and my
method of removing the hair without the use of lime by
the means before described, are such decided improve-
ments, that hides and skins, when so prepared, may be
tanned in the common or ordinary manner by terra
japonica purified as above, and by other ordinary
tanning matter, with much greater facilty than
heretofore ; and the leather thus produced is
of far greater weight, and much better quality, than
any heretofore produced. The advantages to be derived
by my improvements in tanning leather are—First, A
great additional weight of leather, especially in calf
skins. Second, Leather of a much better quality, soft
and not liable to crack or stain. Third, A considerable
diminution in the expense. And Fourth, The tanning
is effected in one quarter of the time consumed in the
pre.ent mode of fanning. Having thus stated the nature
of my improved methods of tanning hides and skins, and
of separating or extracting the japonic or catechuic acid,
or cat, chin, or other extractive and deleterious matter
from the tannic acid, and preventing the formation
of gallic or ellagic acid in the tanning liquor,
and the manner of carrying them into effect,
I think it essential to state, that I do not
c'aim the principle of tanning hides or skins by
sewing them into bags, nor by simply filling them with
liquor ; but I do claim, and my invention consists in the
following improvements in the tanning of hides and skins.
First, I claim the discovery of the means of extracting
the lime with which hides and skins are impregnated
in removing the hair, by the application of sugar or
other saccharine matter, whether obtained from honey,
sawdust, turnips, potatoes, or other substances. Se-
cond, I claim the discovery of the means of removing
the hair or epidermis from hides and skins, without
the use of lime, by the application of sugar or other
saccharine matter, whether obtained from potatoes saw-
dust, beet-root, turnips, or other substances. Third, I
claim the discovery of the means of removing the hair or
epidermis from hides and skins without the use of lime,
bey the application of muriate of soda, or common salt.
iourth, I claim the discovery of the means of separating
the japonic or catechuic acid, or other extractive or de-
leterious matter, from the tannic acid in terra japonica.
Fifth, I claim the discovery of the means of obtaining
tannic acid from the refuse or deposit of the terra japo-
nica, in purifying terra japonica. Sixth, I claim the
discovery of the means of preventing the formation or
generation of gallic and ellagic acid, when oak bark,,
sumach, divi divi, valonia, and other materials are
used. Seventh, I claim the discovery of an improved
mode of tanning leather by means of endosmosis and
exDsmosis with the materials and in the manner before
described, without tho aid of hydrostatic pressure.
Eighth, I claim the discovery of an improved mode of
tanning by means of a general and constant agitation
and circulation of the tanning liquor, composed of the
materials before mentioned, from top to bottom, and
from bottom to top of the pits. Ninth, 1 claim the im-
proved method of tanning hides or skins in pits in the
common and ordinary manner, by first extracting the
lime from the hide, or removing the hair without the use
of lime, and using terra japonica when purified, or other
tanning liquor prepared in the manner before described."

HIGHLAND SOCIETY of LONDON.
This Society held their third general meeting for the
season on Saturday evening, at Freemasons' Tavern, and
although the anniversary of the battle of Alexandria, on
the 21st of March, is considered to be the grand gather-
ing of the Society, there was a very merry and social
party assembled on the present occasion. In the ab-
sence of the President, Lord Saltoun, the chair was
filled by David Charles Gutherie, Esq., and supported by
several members in full Highland costume, who, with
their guests, sat down to a very sumptuous dinner at
seven o'clock.
Amongst the members of the Society present we
noticed--Lord Reidhaven; Alexander Macdonald, Esq.;
Captain Charles Forbes ; Charles Sutherland, Esq. ;
James Tulloch, Esq. ; W. Annandale, Esq. ; A. R.
Iry ine, Esq. ; Mark Boyd, Esq. ; James Davidson,
Esq. ; Daniel Davidson, Esq. ; John Boucher, Esq. ;
James Brand, Esq. ; T. 11. Conway, Esq. ; and G. Bain,
Esq., the Honorary Secretary.
After dinner the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were
drank, and some excellent songs sung, by Mr. Boucher,
one of the members of the Society, and by Mr. Moodie,
a professional gentleman. Angus Mackay, her Majesty's
piper, and his brother Donald, the Society's piper,
played some of their best strains, and a few smart and
excellent reels were danced during the evening by Lord
Reidhaven, Captain Forbes, Messrs. James and Daniel
Davidson, and Mr. Bain.

COAL for the LONDON MARKET.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sitt,—lt is necessary that the London press and public
should be informed that there is a Bill* now before Parlia-
ment, and gone into Committee, for the regulation of vessels
loading coals in the Tyne, from which the London market is
chiefly supplied, which if passed into law, with an alteration
proposed by the coalowners and admitted, will enable them
to restrict the supply sent to market, and thereby, at their
own option, to raise the price of coals in London. The evil
is in the I Ith clause, which, by allowing distinct lists for
loading foreign and home cargoes, gives a preference, at the
will of the coalowner, to vessels loading for foreign ports, so
that at any time vessels loading for the London market will
have to wait for their cargoes till all the foreign-bound vessels
have been supplied.
When coals are low in the London market, it will be easy
for the coalowners, by freighting a few vessels for foreign ports,
to detain every vessel for London till the prices are at their
maximum; or to send by the same means just such quan-
tities as may suit their own purposes. When you are ac•
quainted with the fact that the restriction of the " vend," as
it is called, only applies to coal sent coastwise, and not to
coal exported, which encourages an unlimited supply to the
foreigner, and as limited as possible to the home markets,
' because the best prices are obtained by rendering it thereby
scarcer and dearer at home, you will easily see how an ar-
rangement such as is contemplated by the new Act will aid
in benefiting the coalowner by further restricting the Lon-
don supply. We, in the north, who know the stringent
nature of the combination cf the coalowners, and how easily
a clause like that agreed on can be worked by them to the
injury both of the London public and the British shipowner,
are anxious to warn you in time of what is contemplated,
that the press and the metropolitan Members may resist
such a power.
There cannot be a doubt that the less restricted the supply
and arrangements of coal, the cheaper will be this article in
the London market. Let the ships and the public of France,
Russia, Germany, and other countries, take their fair turns
for a supply of this important produce as ourselves. Why
should they receive a preference? Why should indirect, or
any means be allowed to be taken to raise the prices of coals
to the people of London and this country generally, and to
lower them to the people of Petersburgh, Hamburgh, Paris,
Lisbon, and all the other inhabitants of foreign states?
I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
April 20, 1845. A BRITISH SHIPOWNER.

* Called " A Bill to regulate the loading of ships with coals in the
port of liewcastle-upon-Tyne."