4 
Burford, Cirencester, Tetbury, Bath, Radstock, Temple Cloud to 
Stowey. 
Here he was surprised to find, as well as at High Littleton, the 
Red Marl, evidently like that of Worcestershire, lying in the same 
relation to the Lias and overlying rocks, and similarly employed 
for marling the lands. 
Thus commenced William Smith’s career as a geologist. At 
this time he wrote as follows :—‘“Coal was worked at High 
Littleton beneath the ‘ red-earth,’ and I was desired to investigate 
the collieries, and state the particulars to my employers. My 
subterraneous survey of these coal-veins, with sections which I 
drew, of the strata sunk through in the pits, confirmed my notions. 
of some regularity in their formation ; but the colliers would not 
allow of any regularity in the matter of the hills above the ‘red- 
earth,’ which they were in the habit of sinking through; bu? om this 
subject I began to think for myself.” These observations of William 
Smith at High Littleton were continued through the years 1792 
and 1793, and from notes left by him we know that he was already 
aware of the effect of what geologists call “ faults” upon the out- 
crops and depth of the coal. Several gentlemen at Camerton 
noticed Mr. Smith’s ability and perseverance, and began to interest 
themselves in promoting his success in life. A canal was projected 
for the transport of coal from High Littleton to join the Kennet 
and Avon Canal, near Bath, and William Smith was appointed 
first to make the preliminary surveys necessary for the work, and 
afterwards to superintend the construction of the canal itself. 
In August, 1794, the Directors appointed Mr. Palmer, Mr. 
Perkins and Mr. Smith (their Surveyor) to make a tour through 
England to see all the canals, locks, embankments, &c., of most 
importance, with a view to facilitating their work on the Somerset- 
shire Coal Canal, and this tour was extended to Newcastle-upon- 
Tyne. 
In those days travelling was mostly done by post-chaise, and 
going up hill being slow, William Smith always walked in order to: 
