Italian Soaps
Genoa Soap.
Of this soap, there comes from Genoa two sorts. One of these is exceedingly white, and very well flavoured ; but then it is so brittle, that it, in fact, has no truly good quality to recommend it. It is likewise often so very salt, as to fray and chop the skin of the face and hands in washing; and when used in shaving, inflicts great pain. In cold weather (for its faults are not so easily perceived in summer,) it throws out an hoary matter on its sides; which, (particularly if the soap has been made up into wash-balls) will completely spoil all compositions into which it enters. This perishable soap often shivers or breaks to pieces of its own accord; and the same frequently happens to all balls, &c. made from it. The consequence of these bad qualities is, that this sort of Genoa soap ought never to be used for any other purpose than that of scouring woollen cloths, and other articles of that nature.
Best Genoa Soap.
This sort of Genoa soap is of a much stronger body than the foregoing; it is white, also, and sweet, and, when cut, it looks oily and mellow, like fat or rich cheese. When either of these soaps are bought by the perfumer, he ought to keep them by him for one whole winter, as a general proof of their goodness; but, as a more particular proof, the best way to try them, is by tasting, or rather chewing. That which is quite fresh, and does not taste salt, may be used; but that which, when just broken, is salt in the mouth, ought never to be trusted to.
Venice Soap.
Venice soap (by some called Venus soap, from its whiteness) holds its name and character from several medical properties, ascribed to it in the dispensatories of the present and former times; but at the time when this soap was first introduced into medical practice, it is certain, that the art of soap-making was comparatively unknown to what it is at present.
Remarks.
We have not had this soap from Venice for many years; what is now bought and sold for Venice Soap, is only the best and whitest sort of soap from Genoa, before described.
Imitation of Genoa and Venice Soaps.
The soaps which are made here, in imitation of those from Genoa, and which may not improperly be called English Genoa, are very often, when made from a fine sweet oil, without any mixture of tallow, preferable to any that comes from Genoa, for the use of the perfumer. This imitation is really a better article than the original; for such soap not only surpasses the Genoese kind in whiteness, but also, from the manner of making it here, lately discovered, the cakes or bars are generally very fresh, sweet, and tough, and, when made by an honest manufacturer, seldom or never throw out any hoary matter, which spoils and breaks that from Italy. This sort, therefore, is always recommended, instead of the former.
( ED: Venice, Genoa and Castile soaps seem to have merged over time, and by the mid-19th century it appears one was indistinguishable from the other in manufacture. Thus, Castile soap may be used in place of Venice in many of the recipes on this site. )