“Soap” From the Earth.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue VII, 14 February 1903, Page 459

“Soap” From the Earth.

Although, chemically speaking, lime is soap in the industrial sense, soap is soap, and when the discovery of a soap mine is reported it must be presumed that the product of the mine is a substance more or less •"matchless for the hands and complexion." It is stated that a company has been formed to work the mine, and that 275 tons have already been dug out. But Messrs Pears have no fear of disaster overtaking their business. “Since soap is a compound of fats and alkalis,” said an official, “it must be a natural impossibility for it to be found in the earth. This substance which has been discovered in British Columbia must be an apparently greasy earth or clay, something like Fuller's earth, or that greasy-looking blue clay found in some parts of Eng-

land. In recent years we have frequently had samples of such earth forwarded to us under the idea that they were valuable discoveries, but we have always ignored them. Although they are anything but soap they can. nevertheless, be used for eleansing purposes. 1 have seen country lads when bathing plaster their bodies all over with the black mud of the river bed, run about in the sun till it dried, dive in and again wash it off, and finally come out spotlessly elean.” It would appear, then, that the term “soap mine” is a misnomer. But since the excavations of Pompeii brought to light a complete soap making factory, together with many cakes of soap, possibly the British Columbian prospectors have unearthed an ancient city. A little further and they may find the übiquitous legend. “Good morning; have you used.” etc.