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The river Brue drains a much more considerable part of Brent 

 Marsh, than the Axe, and has a barrier to the tide (which rises 

 there no lefs than twenty feet in height) with sluices therein, at 

 Highbridge, but its foundation, and the apron and cills of the 

 sluices are at such a height above low water mark, that the drain 

 is very imperfect, and the lowest lands, which lie some miles up 

 the river, are frequently incommoded by the land floods. 



On the confines of the Brue, are two heath or turf bogs ; one 

 en the north side containing about 3000, and the other on the 

 south containing about 6000 acres. 



On these bogs scarce any pasturage at prefent grows; They are 

 a composition of porous substances, floating on water and imbibing 

 it like a spunge. They are observed to rise with much wet, and 

 sink in dry weather. The principal use to which they are appro- 

 priated, is that of fuel to the surrounding parishes. As it is an 

 object of the first importance to the country to have these bogs 

 perfectly drained, and consolidated, I shall endeavour to suggest 

 a plan whereby this defirable effect may in my opinion be attained. 



The cause of the inundation and drowning of this level, arises 

 from the outfalls being choaked up either by the collection of sea 

 mud in the river, or by elevated land lying between it and the 

 Bristol Channel. Of course nothing more is necessary than a re- 

 moval of those obstructions to the outfalls, which will open a free 

 passage and quick current to the land water; this being effected, 

 ?he turf bogs which are now five, or six feet higher than the adja- 

 cent land would subside, and the porous earth become consoli- 

 dated, and fit for all the purposes of vegetation. 



The annexed plan, drawn by Mr. White the surveyor, will suffi- 

 ciently explain the object in view, and excite the attention of all 

 parties interested. 



By the levels, thus delineated, (the accuracy of which may be 

 depended on) it appears, that the spring tides are nearly on a level 

 with the surface of the turf bogs, and that by the proposed outlet 

 an additional fall of ten feet will be acquired. Such a drain re- 

 duced to an inclined plane of a foot in a mile, will be under the 

 clay of the bog, and consequently discharge all its stagnant 

 waters, 



A far=» 



