The first person who introduced steam heat into the manufacture of salt, and, in so doing, anticipated the revolutionary improvements which were achieved some three-quarters of a century later by the Vacuum System and the Hodgkinson Patent Salt-Making Process, was William Furnival. For our knowledge of the intentions and achievements of this bold and persevering innovator we have to rely almost entirely upon his “Statement of Facts, Humbley and Respectfully submitted to the Consideration of His Majesty, His Majesty’s Ministers, and Both Houses of Parliament.” In this document we have a story of oppression, conspiracy, and persecution which the author describes as “unparalleled in free England,” and since his narration of the treatment he endured has never been refuted, we must conclude that the gist of what he writes is substantially true. It is to be regretted that in this only available account of his activities, Furnival is so intent upon exposing the wrongs to which he had been subjected that he omits to furnish us with a detailed description of his process. We know that in 1823 Furnival erected works at Droitwich and commenced making salt, and we have his assurance that his patent answered every expectation he had formed of it. Moreover, its working was investigated by Messrs. S. Fowler, Fardon & Co., who, on 17th April, 1824, certified that the advantages of the Furnival method over all existing processes, consisted-- “Firstly.--In the saving of fuel which may be stated at about one-half. “Secondly.--In the production of twice the quantity of salt, as usually made in vessels of the same size, in a given space of time. “Thirdly.--In the superior quality of the salt, arising out of the regular distribution of heat to the bottom of the brine pan.”