116 DROITWICH.

tition; besides which a peculiar risk attends the erection of new works here, for although the supply of brine seems to be inexhaustible, it is only to be found in certain favoured spots, almost in the very heart of the town. One party spent a large sum in boring at a spot where the precious liquid was not forthcoming ; another also bored, but not finding brine he drove a headway to the Salt Company's premises, and there succeeded in getting a supply, which, however, was soon cut off upon the company becoming aware of what their neighbour was at. The dodging and plotting in regard to obtaining brine and leading it away concealed to distant works has been very extensive, and highly amusing to all whom it did not actually concern. The old firm of Clay and Newman - now the Droitwich Patent Salt Company, Limited - have survived the state of rottenness indicated above, although for years, with a capital of £150,000, they paid no dividend, and the present market value of their shares is by no means what it ought to be if the trade were fully developed.

The Salt Company mentioned above occupy all the works in the town except that of Mr. Fardon. The make of all kinds of salt here is now on an average about 100,000 tons per annum or nearly 2,000 tons per week. The prospects of the salt interest are now subject to various contingencies: if speculative people will embark recklessly in the trade, prices must fall by the competition, and rain descend upon some if not all the manufacturers; but if permitted to progress in a quiet and natural channel, the quality of the article being kept up to its present high state, and to acquire a gradual development in new markets, the trade may again become remunerative. If, for instance, the legislation of our Indian empire were conducted on reasonable principles, the amount of salt now produced at Droitwich might be easily doubled, and at the same time our Indian fellow-subjects rejoice in a boon the value of which cannot be sufficiently estimated except by those who have been deprived of it.