6o mSEN B V PERSE VERANCE. 



surmotinted was that of procuring a sufficient supply of water ; 

 and, therefore, that there might be as little of it as possible 

 wasted, it was determined that the canal should be of uniform 

 level throughout, and of course without locks. It had 

 consequently to be carried in various parts of its course both 

 under hills and over wide and deep valleys. The point, 

 indeed, from which it took its commencement was the heart 

 of the coal mountain at Worsley. Here a large basin was 

 formed, in the first place, from which a tunnel of three- 

 quarters of a mile in length had to be cut through the hill. 

 We may just mention, in passing, that the subterraneous 

 course of the water beyond this basin has since been extended 

 in various directions for about thirty miles. After emerging 

 from under ground, the line of the canal was carried forward, 

 as we have stated, by the intrepid engineer, on the same 

 undeviating level, every obstacle that presented itself being 

 triumphed over by his admirable . ingenuity, which the diffi- 

 culties seemed only to render more fertile in happy inventions. 

 Nor did his comprehensive mind ever neglect even the most 

 subordinate departments of the enterprise. The operations 

 of the workmen were everywhere facilitated by new machines 

 of his contrivance; and whatever could contribute to the 

 economy with v>'hich the work was carried on, was attended 

 to only less anxiously than what was deemed essential to 

 its completeness. Thus, for example, the materials excavated 

 from one place were employed to form the necessary embank- 

 ments at another, to which they were conveyed in boats, 

 having bottoms which opened, and at once deposited the load 

 in the place where it was wanted. No part of his task, 

 indeed, seemed to meet this great engineer unprepared. He 

 made no blunders, and never had either to undo anything or 



