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EXHIBIT 23.   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS.

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of
Hercules Incorporated on Form S-8 (Registration No. 33-21667) of our report
dated June 26, 1997 on our audits of the financial statements of Hercules
Incorporated Employee Savings Plan as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and for the
year ended December 31, 1996, which report is included in this Annual Report on
Form 11-K.





Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
2400 Eleven Penn Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  19103
June 26, 1997




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