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That this Art was capable of great Improvements, 
efpecially as pra&ifed in Great Britain , was the 
Sentiment of this Society foon after its Inftitution ; 
at which time the Members thereof were very in- 
rent upon bringing it to a greater Perfection; as 
may be gather’d from, the Inquiries and Suggcftions* 
of Dr. Beal , and the Hiftories of feveral Methods 
of making Salt, which then were publifhed by the 
Society. And although the Englifh have, lince that 
time, confiderably improved their Method of boil- 
ing Salt ; yet this Art is hill praClifed with greater 
Skill and Succefs by the j Dutch, as the fuperior 
Goodnefs of the Filh, cured with their Salt, doth 
fufficiently prove. 
The Commons of Great Britain , having taken 
into Confideration the great Importance of this 
Art, judged fome Improvements propofed therein 
worthy their Regard and. Encouragement; well 
knowing, that, could this be brought to the fame 
Perfection in Britain as in fome neighbouring 
Countries, large Sums of Money might be faved in 
the Nation, which are now paid to the French and 
others ; its Fifheries improved, and its Navies and 
Commerce, and many of its richeft Colonies, would 
no longer depend upon its Enemies for one of thofe 
Necefiaries, without which they cannot be. fup- 
ported.. 
Thefe Confide rat ions have induced our Author 
to give a brief Account of the various Methods of 
making Salt, which are now uled in Great Britain, 
and in other Countries; where this Art is praCtifcd 
with more Succefs ; and alfo to attempt feveral fur- 
ther Improvements for the Ufe of the British Do- 
minions. How far he has fuccecded in thefe At- 
tempts,, 
2 
