The Industrial Revolution 193 



Europe. Canals appeared to be the one thing needed ; and 

 every fresh canal constructed was heralded with joy because 

 it foreshadowed, among other things, better trade, more em- 

 ployment, higher wages, cheaper fuel and provisions, and 

 less of the isolation from which many* a land-locked com- 

 munity was suffering. 



Some of the accounts given by Phillips, in his " General 

 History of Inland Navigation," of the opening of various 

 canals afford interesting evidence of the satisfaction with 

 which the populace greeted the new watenvays. I give a 

 few examples : 



" 1798. The Herefordshire and Gloucestershire canal from 

 Gloucester to Ledbury is completed ; the opening of this 

 navigation took place on the soth of March, when several of 

 the proprietors and gentlemen of the committee embarked 

 ... in the first vessel freighted with merchandise consigned 

 to Ledbury, which was followed by three others laden with 

 coal. They passed through the tunnel at Oxenhall, which is 

 2192 yards in length, in the space of 52 minutes. . . . Both 

 ends of the tunnel, as well as the banks of the canal, were 

 lined with spectators, who hailed the boats with reiterated 

 acclamations. It is supposed that upwards of 2000 persons 

 were present on their arrival at Ledbury. . . . The ad- 

 vantages which must result from this inland navigation to 

 Ledbury and the adjoining country are incalculable. In the 

 article of coal the inhabitants of this district will reap an 

 important benefit by the immediate reduction in price of at 

 least i os. per ton. Coals of the first quality are now delivered 

 at the wharf, close to Ledbury, at 135. 6d., whereas the former 

 price was 245. per ton." 



" 1799- The new canal from Sowerby-bridge to Rochdale 

 was lately opened for business. The Travis yacht first crossed 

 the head level, decorated with the Union flag, emblematical 

 of the junction of the ports of Hull and Liverpool, with 

 colours flying, music playing, attended by the Saville yacht, 

 and thousands of spectators ; a display of flags on the ware- 

 houses, and sound of cannon, announced to the rejoicing 

 neighbourhood the joyful tidings, which in the evening were 

 realised by the arrival of several vessels, laden with corn 

 and timber." 



" 1800. The Peak Forest canal . . . was opened on the 



