261 



At the time Whitwokth reported to the Promoters of the 

 Canal (in December, 1782) two schemes for connecting the 

 Severn with the Thames were examined by him, the one from 

 Tewkesbury, via Cheltenham, tunneling under Sandywell Park, 

 into the Valley of the Colne, which it traversed, and joined the 

 Thames at Lechlade ; the other, which was the less expensive, 

 but involved the longest tunneling, was by the Stroud Valley, 

 and in communication with the Stroudwater Navigation, being 

 the route adopted. 



It will be seen that Whitworth speaks of the proposed 

 Tunnel as being much longer, and if formed to allow the 

 passage of Thames boats, (which are 12 feet wide ; ordinary 

 canal boats being but 7 feet, and Severn barges 15 feet wide) 

 wider than anything that had yet been done, although in his 

 opinion quite practicable. It was a bold work, therefore, to 

 undertake in 1782. However, the Promoters went to Parliament 

 for powers, which they obtained the following year, and were 

 incorporated as the Company of Proi^rietors of the Thames and 

 Severn Canal Navigation. On the 7th October, 1783, the 



with effect and to be continued regularly at the end of eveiy six calendar 

 months during the remainder of the said term of twenty-five years or so 

 long thereof as the said engine shall continue to be used as aforesaid. 

 CSignedJ JAMES WATT 



MATTHEW BOULTON 



Boulton's interest in Watt's patent was acquired from Dr. Eoebxjck, 

 who was Watt's first partner, and held two-thiids of the invention for 

 money advanced, &c. But there was so much difficulty in introducing 

 Watt's engine, that poor Eoebuck, although a most able and bold man, 

 failed altogether ; sinking his own and his wife's fortune, besides large 

 sums of money obtained from friends. He is described in a Cyclopaedia of 

 Biography, recently published in Glasgow, thus : — 



"John Roebuck, a physician, and experimental chemist, bom at 

 Sheffield, 1718, died, after ruming himself by his projects. 1794." 



He was grandfather to Jonx Arthur Roebuck, late M.P. for Sheffield. 

 The value of the share in Watt's patent was thought so small, that it was 

 not even included in the list of assets at the time of Roebuck's failure. After 

 BouLTON joined Watt, they had great difficulties, and could sometimes 

 hardly pay their woi'kmen on Saturday night ; but iiltimately by the exten- 

 sion of the patent, they succeeded, and acquired both wealth and reputation. 



