Some Specialties.
Besides the preparations enumerated in the preceding pages, we find in perfumery some products which are in favor on account of their fragrance and are suitable for scenting ladies’ writing-desks, sewing-baskets, boxes, and similar objects. They find their most appropriate use in places where an aromatic odor is desired, while there is no room for keeping the substances themselves. These must therefore be put into a small compass, and the aromatics chosen should be distinguished by great intensity and permanence of odor.
We subjoin a few formulas for the manufacture of such specialties, and add the remark that besides the aromatics there given other substances may be used in their preparation; but that the presence of benzoin, musk, or civet, even in small amount, is always necessary, since these substances, as above stated, not only possess an intense and permanent odor, but have the valuable property of imparting lasting qualities to more volatile odors.
It is a good plan, too, to keep on hand two kinds of these specialties—one containing musk, the other none—for the reason that the musk odor is as disagreeable to some persons as it is pleasant to others.
Spanish Skin (Peau d’Espagne, Spanisch Leder).
The article sold under this name resembles in some respects sachets or scent bags and is made as follows.
Take a piece of wash-leather (chamois), trim it to a square shape, and leave it for three or four days in the following mixture:
| Benzoin | ½ lb. |
| Oil of bergamot | ¾ oz. |
| Oil of lemon | ¾ oz. |
| Oil of lemon grass | ¾ oz. |
| Oil of lavender | ¾ oz. |
| Oil of nutmeg | 150 grains. |
| Oil of clove | 150 grains. |
| Oil of neroli | 1½ oz. |
| Oil of rose | 1½ oz. |
| Oil of santal | 1½ oz. |
| Tincture of tonka | ¾ oz. |
| Oil of cinnamon | 150 grains. |
| Alcohol | 1 qt. |
At the end of the time named remove the leather from the liquid, let it drain, spread it on a glass plate, and when dry coat it on the rough side, by means of a brush, with a paste prepared in a mortar from the following ingredients:
| Benzoic acid, sublimed | 150 grains. |
| Musk | 15 grains. |
| Civet | 15 grains. |
| Gum acacia | 1 oz. |
| Glycerin | ¾ oz. |
| Water | 1¾ oz. |