352 On the Chemical Evidence 



hour, finding a verdict for the plaintiffs, — Damages, £7181 

 2s. 6d, 



Thus have I attempted to give an impartial account of the 

 particulars of this very important trial, with such observations 

 as naturally occurred to me when reviewing the evidence on 

 both sides the question, and, at the same time, have endeavoured 

 to explain the reasons upon which my own opinions were 

 founded, some of which are in direct opposition to the majority 

 of those persons who undertook a series of experiments in be- 

 half of the defendants. 



The gentlemen from whom I differ are, however, all well 

 known as persons of considerable scientific attainments, and 

 some of them have long been my intimate acquaintance. I 

 cannot therefore be suspected of entertaining an improper 

 feeling towards any of them. Their evidence has been ex- 

 amined by me merely in the capacity of a chemist, and I have 

 endeavoured to do it without fear or prejudice. 



As to the purity of the motives of the gentlemen above al- 

 luded to, the known characters of the individuals leave no 

 room for doubt; but it has always been acknowledged that 

 the most scientific men have sometimes been mistaken in 

 the conclusions which they have drawn from their own expe- 

 riments. 



It is not for me, however, to assert that I am less fkllible than 

 they ; it is for the public to investigate the nature and value of 

 the different experiments, and then to decide between us. 



To enable that public to do this on good grounds, the above 

 concise account of the case has been written ; and I do flatter 

 myself that it will have the effect of removing from the science 

 which I have espoused, that character of doubt and uncertainty 

 which some circumstances attendant upon this trial, might 

 otherwise have attached to it. 



Samuel Parkes. 

 December 1, 1820. 



P. S. The other trials, arising out of the dreadful conflagra- 

 tion which has occasioned this paper, are fixed to come on at 



