s^^2. the effect of water on machinery, 3191 



and violent floods as a mountain stream ; and conse- 

 quently the machinery could be regulated with lefi 

 trouble. In mountainous countries, however, there 

 is lefs necefsity for adopting this contrivance, as falls 

 of water can there be commanded ; but even in hilljr 

 countries, the streams that ifsue from lakes, of a 

 large size, are peculiarly proper for this purpose, ss 

 being lefs liable to sudden inundations than other 

 streams. — The Leven, from loch Lomond to Dum- 

 barton, — the Awe, from loch Awe in Argylelhire to 

 loch Etive, — the Locby, and the A''^ in Invernefs-- 

 Ihire, are large rivers of this kind, on which an infi- 

 nite number of mills might be erected. On such 

 large streams as these, one wheel might always serve, 

 two mills ■■, one on each side the river. A number of 

 lefser streams are to be found in every part of the 

 country, on which mills of this kind might be erec- 

 ted, on a scale more suited to the general ideas enter- 

 tained on that subject at present, than these would 

 be ; for till enterprises of this sort fhall become more 

 familiar than tliey now are, those first mentioned would 

 appear too gigantic undertakings for man to atchieve. 

 How long will it be before man fhall come to know 

 the full extent of human powers I 



Upon this principle, water, as a moving power, 

 might be commanded in many parts of Scotland, to 

 such an extent, as, comparatively speaking, might be 

 cal'td infinite ; and pof^efsing advantages for turning 

 machinery, that cannot be commanded to an equal de- 

 gree, perhaps, in any other part of the world. But 

 as mankind are apt to be startled, when things that, 

 they have been accustomed to look upon as impofsible, 

 are proposed, I fliall not for the present advance 



