Mr. Henderson, Master of the Tanners, said he was diffident of the Goodness of the Specimens, that he should have been thoroughly satisfyed: had he known, how the Leathers had proved, if worn, by some Porters, or Chairmen. That the Colour of Number 2, or 3, was not so good as some tanned with Bark, producing a Calve’s Skin curried, to compare with them, but did own, all the Specimens were thoroughly struck, and well tanned: That if they were in a Shop, intermixt with Skins, tanned by Bark, he could not distinguish them; and that, what tanned Numb. 5 and 6, would tann, Time and Quantity allowed, the thickest Bullock’s Hyde.
Mr. Dobson, Tanner, affirmed the Specimens were not well tanned, because they did not come up to the Colour of the Skin produced by Mr. Henderson, but in other Respects, the Leathers appeared, to be as good in their respective Kinds, as any tanned with Bark.
Mr. Nicholas Gibson, Master of the Curriers, affirmed that the Skin produced by Mr. Henderson, was of an Extraordinary Colour; That there were not ten such in Dublin; That the Difference in Colour was but very small, and in regard even to Colour, would choose those tanned by the Vegetables, as soon as Mr. Henderson’s Skin; That all the Specimens appeared to be very well tanned, and that he could in no wise distinguish them from Bark-Tannage.
Mr. Devereux, Currier, being sent out, returned, producing two Calves Skins tanned by Bark, which he took indifferently, and without choosing, from the next Currier’s Shop. They were allowed by all, to be of a general or common Colour; and being compared were much exceeded by the Specimens, and particularly, as to Colour.
Mr. Edmund Sheild, Currier, said he never saw better tanned Leather, than the Specimens, that their Colour was very good and, that what tanned Numb. 5. would tann any Hyde, whatsoever.
Mr. Brookfield, Tanner, reported the Specimens exhibited, were well tanned and thoroughly struck; that neither He, or any other could distinguish them, from Bark Tannage; and that what tanned Numb. 5, could not fail in any Tannage.
Mr. Veckers, Tanner, allowed the Specimens to be very well tanned; and gave it, as his Opinion, that what tanned Numb. 5 and 6, would tann the thickest Sole Leather.
Mr. John Gades, Shoemaker, after giving his Testimony, that all the Specimens appeared to be exceedingly well tanned, produced a Shoe, made by him, of the Leather of this Tannage, affirming the Leather, wrought very well, and that the Soles exhibited, under the Hammer, all the Signs of extraordinary Leather.
Mr. Ellis, Shoemaker, reported the Specimens were very well tanned: That, Leather either dead, or highly tanned, would never carry so beautiful a Colour as Leather otherwise tanned. That, the Sole Leather appeared to be very well tanned; and that in his Opinion this Tannage, would in every respect, answer the same End, or Intentions, as Bark Tannage.