Take a quarter of a pound of Castile soap, and cut it into small
pieces. Then, put it into a tin or porcelain sauce-pan, with just
water enough to moisten it well, and set it on hot coals. Let it
simmer till it is entirely dissolved; stirring it till it becomes
a smooth paste, and thickening it with Indian meal, (which even in
a raw state is excellent for the hands.) Then take it from the
fire, and when cool scent it with rose-water, or with any fragrant
essence you please. Beat and stir it hard with a silver spoon, and
when it is thoroughly mixed put it into little pots with covers.