x Roads and Canals through Staffordshire 95 



infinitely convenient it would be to have an inland 

 navigation established to bring Burslem and the pottery 

 villages in connection with the nearest port of Liver- 

 pool. 



The idea of such a navigation had long been mooted ; 

 but it was not until the Duke of Bridgewater had con- 

 structed and opened his canal between Worsley and 

 Manchester in July 1761, that active measures began 

 to be adopted to set on foot the proposed new naviga- 

 tion through the potteries. Wedgwood was the leading 

 spirit, together with his friend Brindley the engineer. 



Wedgwood had known Brindley for some time. He 

 had known him as a millwright, mechanic, mirie- 

 drainer,and tunnel-maker; indeed, Brindley was so ready 

 to undertake any kind of work, that he was generally 

 known as " The Schemer." Among his various con- 

 structions was that of a mill near Burslem for the 

 purpose of grinding flint so much used by the potters 

 for the manufacture of white ware. He had been 

 informed of the distressing consequences to the work- 

 men of inhaling the fine particles of dry flint ; so that, 

 in constructing the flint mill for John Wedgwood at 

 the Jenkins's, he suggested that the flints should be 

 ground in water. This was done, and the result was 

 that waste was prevented, the operation of grinding was 

 facilitated, and the purity of the air was preserved to 

 the advantage of the work-people. 



Brindley was thus brought into direct connection with 

 the Wedgwoods of Burslem ; and when the contemplated 



