v William Smith's Early Career 227 



climb to the summits, as in our start from Bath to Tetbury, 

 by Swanswick, the slow driving up the steep hills afforded 

 me distinct views of the nature of the rocks ; rushy 

 pastures on the slopes of the hills, the rivulets and kind of 

 trees, all aided in defining the intermediate clays; and 

 while occasionally walking to see bridges, locks, and other 

 works, on the lines of canal, more particular observations 

 could be made. 



" My friends being both concerned in working coal, 

 were interested in two objects ; but I had three, and the 

 most important one to me I pursued unknown to them ; 

 though I was continually talking about the rocks and 

 other strata, they seemed not desirous of knowing the 

 guiding principles or objects of these remarks ; and it 

 might have been from the many hints, perhaps mainly on 

 this subject, which I made in the course of the journey, 

 that Mr. Palmer jocosely recommended me to write a book 

 of hints." 1 



We can picture the trio on this memorable journey 

 the young man in front eagerly scrutinizing every field, 

 ridge, and hill along each side of the way, noting every 

 change of soil and topography, and turning round every 

 little while, unable to restrain his exuberant pleasure as his 

 eye detected one indication after another of the application 

 of the principles he had found to hold good at home, and 

 pointing them out with delight to his two sedate companions, 

 who looked at him with amusement, but with neither 

 knowledge of his aims nor sympathy with his enthusiasm. 



For six years William Smith was engaged in setting out 

 and superintending the construction of the Somersetshire 



1 Memoirs, p. 10. 



