tf Sketch of the Life of 



enumerates the divers other manufactures which would be 

 created by the repeal of those laws, and proceeds in a forcible 

 manner to show the baneful effects which they have had upon 

 those great nurseries of our seamen, the fisheries of Great 

 Britain. In February, 1819, he first published his " Letter 

 to Farmers and Graziers on the use of Salt in Agriculture," 

 in which he details the methods of its advantageous applica- 

 tion as a manure, in feeding cattle, in preserving hay, in the 

 destruction of worms and insects, and even in rearing bees ; 

 he also inserts copious extracts from the evidence given on the 

 subject of the Salt Laws before the Board of Trade, in April, 

 1817, and before a Select Committee of the House of Com- 

 mons, in April, 1818, on both of which occasions he was 

 examined at great length for many days ; and the united testi- 

 mony of the most celebrated agriculturists and men of science 

 of whom England could boast, went to prove the inestimable 

 advantages that would accrue to the country from the repeal 

 of those laws. 



The interest that was excited on the subject by this book, 

 and the consequent rapidity of its sale, were probably unpre- 

 cedented. The first edition, published on the 22nd of 

 February, sold off instantaneously ; the second came out in 

 March, the third on the 1st of May, and the fourth on the 1st 

 of November of the same year. The late Sir Thomas Ber- 

 nard was a fellow-labourer with him throughout this question, 

 and gave his time and attention assiduously to it. At length, 

 after twenty-eight years of unwearied exertion, during a con- 

 siderable portion of which period little hope had appeared of 

 ultimately obtaining any beneficial result, Mr. Parkes had the 

 satisfaction of seeing his labours crowned with success by the 

 total repeal of the laws in 1825, since which time the in- 

 creased consumption of salt has fully justified his statements, 

 and proved the correctness of his anticipations. 



Engaged, as Mr. Parkes was, in the management and super- 

 intendance of an extensive chemical manufactory, which re- 

 quired unremitting attention and the greatest portion of his 

 time, his works were composed at those hours Avhich would 

 generally be devoted to amusement or repose ; but such was 

 (he • unwearied and indefatigable nature of his mind, that, 



