How to Make Essence of Ambergris And Extrait d'Ambre
Ambergris
This substance is found in the sea, floating near the islands of Sumatra, Molucca, and Madagascar; also on the coasts of America, Brazil, China, Japan, and the Coromandel.
The western coast of Ireland is often found to yield large pieces of this substance
Nevertheless, as ambergris is extensively used as a perfume, in deference to those who admire its odor, we presume that it has to many an agreeable smell.
Like bodies of this kind undergoing a slow decomposition and possessing little volatility, it, when mixed with other very fleeting scents, gives permanence to them on the handkerchief, and for this quality the perfumer esteems it much.
Essence of Ambergris
Is only kept for mixing; when retailed it has to be sweetened up to the public nose; it is then called after the Parisian name
Extrait d'Ambre
.
Esprit de rose triple, 1/2 pint.
Extract of ambergris, 1 pint
Essence of musk, 1/4 pint
Extract of vanilla, 2 ounces.
This perfume has such a lasting odor, that a handkerchief being well perfumed with it, will still retain an odor even after it has been washed.
The fact is, that both musk and ambergris contain a substance which clings pertinaciously to woven fabrics, and not being soluble in weak alkaline lyes, is still found upon the material after passing through the lavatory ordeal.
Powdered ambergris is used in the manufacture of cassolettes—little ivory or bone boxes perforated—which are made to contain a paste of strong-smelling substances, to carry in the pocket or reticule; also in the making of peau d'Espagne, or Spanish skin, used for perfuming writing paper and envelopes, and which will be described hereafter.
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