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LETTER XIX. 



^T^ M E original dcfign of the Duke of 

 Bridgwater, was to cut a canal from 

 y/orjleyy an cRate of his Grace's, abound- 

 ing with coal-mines, to Manchejiery for 

 the eafy conveyance of his coals to fo con- 

 fiderable a market; and, in 1758-9, an 

 Act of Parliament for that purpofe was 

 obtained. The courfe of the canal pre- 

 fcribed by this act, was afterwards varied 

 ty the fame authority, and the Duke fur- 

 ther enabled greatly to extend his plan ; 

 for he now determined, and with uncom- 

 mon fpirit, to make his canal brarjch not 

 only from JVorf.ey to Manchejiery but alfo 

 from a part of the canal between both, to 

 Stockport and Liverpool. The idea was a 

 noble one, and ranks this fpirited young 

 pobleman with the moft ufctul genius's of 

 this or any age. But the execution of fo 

 great a plan teemed with difficulties that 

 required a perpetual exertion of abilities 

 fertile in refources. 



The firft point in viewing this naviga- 

 tion, is to fend froni Mancbtjler to JVorjleyy 



to 



