2.56 



explored.) The navigation works executed in Spain by the 

 Moors, and particularly those in the Valley of the Guadalquiver, 

 all had been visited by or described to them. Again, about the 

 12th century, Canals had been introduced into Italy, and about 

 the same time into Holland, for the purpose both of inland 

 navigation and of irrigation. 



It was in the 15th century that the Canal Lock, with a gate 

 at each end, was constructed by two engineers of Viterbo in 

 Italy, with which also our forefathers were familiar. 



Still, in this country, and in that part of Gloucestershire 

 which we have been visiting to-day, there were neither Canals 

 nor, I believe, any Tramways in the year 1770, and the two main 

 roads between Stroud and Cirencester, the one (as I see in the 

 old maps) by Bisley, and the other by Minchinhampton, carried 

 the main Traffic of these parts a century ago. 



At this date these two roads were probably in fair condition, 

 and supplied by stage waggons, pack horses, and public con- 

 veyances, which no doubt were constantly passing to and fro over 

 them, although I see in Arthtjk Young's " Six Weeks Tour 

 through the Southern Counties of England and Wales" published 

 in 1769, he says, from Glouoester to Newnham, a distance of 

 twelve miles a " cursed road, infamously stony, with ruts all 

 the way," in reference to our Gloucestershire roads of that date. 

 Still the impetus given to road-making consequent on the 

 inconvenience suffered by our Troops from want of roads during 

 their advance to crush Prince Charles Edward's rebellion, in 

 Scotland, in 1745, had led to their extensive formation, par- 

 ticularly in the North of England. Old Metcalf, the blind 

 roadmaker, who played his fife at Falkirk, in Kino George's 

 caTise, and was I believe also at CuUoden, had been busily at 

 work, and had constructed many good roads. This wonderful 

 old man, who had been blind since six years of age, from small- 

 pox, did not die until 1810, in his 93rd year, leaving behind 

 him 4 children, 20 grand-children, and 90 great grand-children. 



In 1706 there was a stage coach running between London 

 and York, as the old hand-bill in the hotel at the latter place 

 (of which I have obtained this photograph) gives the particulars. 



