THE BRITISH EMPIRE. cr 



ocean foften the rigours of winter, and temperate 

 the air to a degree unknown in countries upon the 

 continent, lying under the fame latitudes. 



It is equally happy in its animal and vegetable 

 productions ; its metals, minerals, and fisheries; 

 forming, upon the whole, a great ilorehoufe or 

 magazine of thofe articles which are the moft fer- 

 viceable to the real wants of mankind. The re- 

 turns arifing from the exportation of thefe in favour- 

 able years, exceed credibility, and they admit of 

 being further extended, particularly thofe of grain, 

 ami the fisheries. 



This natural produce, however valuable in itfelf, 

 both for home manufactures and exportation, is 

 rendered ftill more fo, from the oblong form, and 

 infular fituation of Great Britain, pofTefTmg a coaft 

 of 2000 miles indented on every fide by lakes, bays, 

 or harbours ; communicating outwardly with the 

 ocean ; internally, with numerous navigable rivers* 

 and canals ; by which means all the trading towns 

 are ports, which communicate with each other, and 

 with the four quarters of the world. The manufac- 

 turers at Leeds, Manchefter, Birmingham, and other 

 places, fhip their goods almoft at their own doors, 



' 



* England is fertilized by more than 50 rivers, which arc naviga- 

 ble for barges, carrying i'rom 5 to i $o tous. Scotland hath only 3 

 navigable rivers, viz. the Clyde, navigable as high as Glafgow ; the 

 Forth, at Stirling ; and the Tay, at Perth ; but nature hath made 

 ample amends to that kingdom in the numerous lakes which pene- 

 trate from 5 to 40 miles within land, and are navigable for ihipsof 

 the line. The Duke of Bridgwater hath the merit of firft fetting the 

 example in artificial navigations, and to his fuccefsfnl perfeverance 

 his country is indebted tor the numerous canals which at prefent 

 interfect the centre of the kingdom. In imitation of his celebrated 

 cut at Mancviefter fundry public-fpirite<l perfons have embarked 

 in the bold enterprize of joining the Thames and the Severn, or 

 rather of completing a work, of which only 10 miles remained to 

 be cut ; but lo unfavourable is nature to thedefign, that a fubter- 

 raneous cut, 16 feet fquare, mull be made through two miles of 

 iolid rock, at the expence of 8 guineas per yard. 



B 3 at 



