84 SPRINGS, RIVERS, CANAL*, LAXE3> 



So that to us no thing, no place is strange, 



While bis fair bosom is the world's exchange. 



O could I flow like thee, and make thy stream 



My great example, as it is my thome ! 



Though deep, yet clear ; though gentle, yet not dull ; 



Strong without rage, without o'erflowing full. 



Although it is the current opinion that the Thames had its name 

 from the conjunction of the Thame and Isis, yet it is always called 

 Thames before it conies near the Thame. This the annotator on 

 Camden proves from ancient records, and adds, " it may be safely 

 affirmed, that it does not occur under the name of Isis in any charter 

 or authentic history ; and that the name is no where heard of, ex. 

 cept among scholars ; the common people all along, from the spring- 

 head to Oxford, calling it by no other name but that of the 

 Thames." 



The SEVERN rises from a small lake on the vast mountain of 

 Plynlimmon, in Montgomeryshire, and is the principal beauty of the 

 county, in which it receives so many small streams, that it becomes 

 navigable near the town of Montgomery. It passes through the 

 middle of Shropshire ; on its banks are the towns of Shrewsbury and 

 Bridgenorth ; its course is through the centre of Worcestershire, 

 from north to south, the city of Worcester and town of Tewkes- 

 bury being here seated on its margin. Entering Gloucestershire, it 

 runs by the city of Gloucester, and discharges itself into a large bay, 

 which, from the commercial city in its vicinity, is called the Bristol 

 Channel. About fifteen miles from its mouth a navigable canal ha 

 been constructed, which conveys the waters of the Severn to within 

 about two miles of Cirencester; they are then carried by a tunnel 

 or archway, the height of which is fifteen feet above the surface of 

 the water, through Sapertou hill, two miles and three furlongs in 

 extent, for the purpose of communicating wrth the Thames at Lech, 

 lade. In November 1789, this navigation was completed. The 

 Severn is- distinguished for the abundance of salmon which frequent 

 it, and the lamprey, which is almost peculiar to it ; this last fish is in 

 season in the spring of the year, whea it has a delicious taste, which 

 abates as the summer advances. 



The TRENT rises among the moor-lauds in the north-west part 

 ^f Staffordshire, and has its* waters increased by several rivulets, by 



