a portion of the sugar was discoloured and spoiled, and the whole produce was deteriorated.  The valuable thought occurred to Mr. Howard, that the water might be dissipated by boiling the syrup in a vacuum or place from which air was excluded, and therefore at a low temperature.  This was done accordingly; and the saving of sugar and the improvement of quality were such as to make the patent right, which secured the emoluments of the process to him and other parties, worth many thousand pounds a-year.  The syrup, during this process, is not more heated than it would be in a vessel merely exposed to a summer sun.

    [3] Arnott’s Elements of Physics.

Lord Brougham, in his Introduction to the Library of Useful Knowledge, characterizes this as a process, by which more money has been made in a shorter time, and with less risk and trouble, than was ever perhaps gained from an invention; and as “the fruit of a long course of experiments, in the progress of which known philosophical principles were constantly applied, and one or two new principles ascertained."[4]

    [4] Objects, Advantages, and Pleasures of Science.  In the
    first edition, the inventer is erroneously stated to be Edward
    Howard.

The scene of this discovery was, in all probability, the Deepdene, near Dorking, the retreat of the late Mr. Thomas Hope, the author of Anastasius.  Here the Hon. Mr. Howard, brother of the Duke of Norfolk, resided at the commencement of the last century, and is stated to have enjoyed that philosophical retirement which may be described as the happy haven of a truly great mind.  He planted a portion of the grounds, the greater part of the estate being so admirably disposed by nature as almost to forbid the fashioning of men’s hands.  At Mr. Howard’s death, the estate descended to the Duke of Norfolk, who sold the property, in 1791, to the late Sir William Burrell, whose lady wrote the following lines, which are on a tablet in the grounds: 

    “This votive Tablet is inscribed to the memory of the
    Honourable Charles Howard, who built an oratory and laboratory
    on this spot:  he died at the Deepdene, 1714.

  If worth, if learning, should with fame be crown’d,
    If to superior talents, fame be due,
  Let Howard’s virtues consecrate the ground
    Where once the fairest flowers of science grew.

  Within this calm retreat, th’ illustrious sage
    Was wont his grateful orisons to pay,
  Here he perused the legendary page,
    Here gave to chemistry the feeling day.

  Cold to ambition, far from courts remov’d,
    Though qualified to fill the statesman’s part,
  He studied nature in the paths he lov’d,
    Peace in his thoughts, and virtue in his heart.

  Soft may the breeze sigh through the ivy boughs
    That shade this humble record of his worth;
  Here may the robin undisturbed repose,
    And fragrant flowers adorn the hallow’d earth.