89 
On an UNIVERSAL CHARACTER: 
in a Letter from JAMES ANDERSON, L.L.D- 
-F.R.S. F.A.S.S. &C. &c. to EDWARD HOLME, 
M.D. 
READ NOVEMBER 4TH, 1796. 
Corriexp, near Leith, Feb. 2oth, 1795+ 
Dear Sir, 
Since I had last the pleasure of see- 
ing you in Manchester, I have had more leisure to 
turn my attention towards literary investigations 
than for some years past. My time indeed has 
been chiefly employed in facilitating the communi- 
cation between different places within land, by means 
of roads and canals: in regard to both which great 
undertakings, I find we are as yet not a great deal 
farther advanced. than children beginning to walk. 
AQUEDUCT BRIDGES, which are at present erect- 
ed at so enormous an expence, as materially 
to obstruct the extension of canals, may cer- 
tainly be constructed in such a way as to cost less 
than the bare carriage of the materials will in many 
cases amount to. But, without explanations, these 
assertions must appear mere impossibilities suggest- 
ed at random: and, as explanations would require 
more time and room than can be spared, I shall 
pass from this to another subject, that is more in the 
line of your pursuits. 
VOL. Vv. M 
