374 Navigation. 



the different canals of Russia, and the amount of 

 merchandize, of various kinds, for which they fur- 

 nish means of transportation, almost exceed the 

 bounds of credibility. 



Since the undertaking of the Russian Emperor, 

 similar improvements have been projected and ex- 

 ecuted in Sweden, Denm,ark, France, and Spain; 

 from which very important advantages have re- 

 sulted to those several countries, and from which 

 many more, by due attention, might be produced. 

 The first navigable canal cut in Great-Britain was 

 that undertaken by the Duke of BpaDCEWAXER, 

 and completed, at his expense, in 1759, for the pur- 

 pose of forming a communication between his coal 

 works, at Worsley, and the city of Manchester. 

 This work was planned and executed by Air. 

 James Brindley, an engineer of singular talents, 

 and the author of the present most approved sys- 

 tem of canal navigation. His great and original 

 genius, the force of mind which he displayed in 

 surmounting the difficulties w^hich w^ere presented 

 in his course, and the various improvements which 

 he suggested in the formation and management 

 of canals, have been, very deservedly, the subjects 

 of much eulogy by every succeeding artist. After 

 Mr. Brindley's first successful attempt, canals 

 became popular in Great- Britain and Ireland, and 

 a considerable number, some of them on a very 

 ]arge scale, were undertaken in different parts of 

 those countries. Brindley, who died in 1772, 

 was succeeded by Mr.SMEATON,Mr. Whitworth, 

 Mr. Watt, and others, who eminently distin- 

 irulshed themselves as engineers in the same line. 



Attempts of a similar kind have been made \n 

 the United States; but neither on so large a scale, 

 nor hitherto with so much success, as in Europe. 

 The trials, however, which have been made in the 

 States of ConiiecLicutj New-York^ Virginia, and 



