Series 4 > Scottish industrial history

SCOTTISH INDUSTRIAL HISTORY
184
men’s Houses, Which is the only relic yet remaining of the L. C.
Works Creed. It was rumered that the Exisemen had descovered
that somthing else then Peat was distilled. But on examination it
was proved that it was only a few Bottles of Glenlevet which
Wilson had hid about For his own requirements when fitting up
the apparatus.]
The Killing of the Fish in the Pond led to the Experimental
Works being removed to the out side of the Lewis Castele Grounds.
Where they were fitted up on a larger scale a Kiln built. Com¬
plicated Condencers fitted up, a large quantity of Peat Cut and
stacked to be brought in to the Works by a Boat on a Canal Cut
in the Bog (the Canal fully f of a Mile long). It being reported and
generally beleived through the Island that the Gentleman at the
Castle (Mr Gaunter) was to make Candles out of Peat. Which
gave the Works the Name of the Candle Works during its exist-
ance. [Mr Gaunter then resided at the Castle while the Glen House
was under repairs.]
For about Two years various changes and alterations from time
to time was done on the apparatus, When by patience and perce-
verance, About half a Ton of Peat Tar (Crude Hydrocarbon)
was gathered from the Distilation of the Peat Gases. [Through
over boiling and evaporation the Peat Tar Manufactured at the
Experimental Works was so dry and Pitchy that dry Bisket Barrels
was light enough to hold it.]
Mr Gaunter could go no Farther, That is to Distill the Peat Tar
into refined oils and Parifine (He laid no claim to Chemical Know¬
ledge). Which in the begining of 1859 led Sir James Mathison to
bring Dr B. Hariot Paul, an eminent London Analyst and Chemist
to experiment and Analyze the Peat Tar Manufactured by Mr
Gaunter. [Dr Paul’s reputation as an Analyst was of high standing,
only lost the high position of the Government Anylist by a few
votes less then Dr Angus Smith.]
There was a Laboratory Built and fitted up (adjoining the Glen
House where Mr Gaunter resided) where Dr Paul conducted the
Analysis of the Peat Tar referred to, and also Tar Distilled under his
own superentendance after rebuilding and altering the Kiln put up
by Mr Gaunter and Wilson. [Mr Gaunter and Wilson’s apparatus
was quite upset by Dr Paul to the great greaf of the enventors,