254 HEROES OF SCIENCE. 



none of these beds to the north-west, the truth of 

 which conjecture was soon verified by a tour of 

 observation through the northern parts of this 

 kingdom." 



In March, 1798, Mr. Smith purchased a small 

 but beautiful estate, in a deep valley, within three 

 miles of Bath, almost overgrown with wild wood, 

 hiding in its bosom a sheet of water and a small 

 mill. Through this retired possession the canal 

 was cut, without greatly injuring its remarkable 

 beauty ; and, under Mr. Smith's fond and tasteful 

 attention the scene was partly cleared, the pond 

 expanded to a lake, the cottage became a com- 

 fortable home, in which he passed many happy and 

 thoughtful hours. He did not, however, at any 

 time reside long in this favourite retreat, but took 

 up his station for about a year at the village of 

 Mitford, near Bath, and engaged in the last duties 

 which he performed as resident engineer to the 

 Coal Canal. 



Owing to a misunderstanding with the Company, 

 this occupation ceased in June, 1799, and Mr. Smith 

 felt and acknowledged that a new era in his life 

 had arrived. He was not only at liberty, but 

 placed under the necessity to consider the best 

 means of making known his geological system, 

 and of founding upon it a professional practice, 

 which might provide the expense of travelling 

 to verify and extend his knowledge, and fill up 

 the outline of a geological map of England and 

 Wales. 



