

CATARACTS, AND INUNDATIONS. 37 



extent is cut near Wakefield, to facilitate the communication 

 between this place and Halifax. 



While speaking of canals, that astonishing work which, under the 

 name of the NEW RIVER, was begun in the early part of the last 

 century, and which in its progress and completion has proved so 

 highly interesting to the most populous and wealthy part of this 

 country, ought not to pass unnoticed. 



This most noble undertaking, for the purpose of supplying the 

 northern and western parts of the cities of London and Westmin- 

 ster, and nearly the whole of their environs, with that necessary of 

 life, water, is by means of this river, which is conducted in an arti- 

 ficial canal, extending through a winding course of thirty-eight 

 mites three quarters and sixteen poles, from the springs of Chadwel 

 and Annvell, near Ware, in Hertfordshire. It was undertaken in 

 the year 1606, by Mr. Hugh Middkton, citizen and goldsmith of 

 London, who was afterwards knighted, and at length created a ba- 

 ronet: but the title is now extinct. In about five vears he had 



v 



brought the water as far as Enfield, but having met with great 

 difficulties, and strong opposition, he found himself extremely impo- 

 verished by the undertaking, and applied to the lord mayor and cor- 

 poration of London for assistance, but they refusing to be concerned, 

 he made a more successful application to James I. who, in the year 

 16' 12, engaged to bear half the expense of the concern on becoming 

 a half partner in it ; though the king was excluded from interfering 

 at all in its management. The sums paid out of the Exchequer at 

 various times, from Easter 16*12 to September 1614, in consequence 

 of this covenant, were 6,347/. In the following year, water was 

 brought into the bason called " The New River Head/' at Islington. 

 It was then thought to be an objct worthy of national attention, 

 and Sir Hugh Middletou dividing his moiety iuto thirty-six shares, 

 sold twenty-nine of them. It was not, however, until the year 1633 

 that any dividend of profit was made, and Sir Hugh died in the year 

 1631 ; the proportion to each twenty-ninth share was, at that time, 

 III. 19*. Id. the second dividend was only 3/. 4s. 2d. and instead 

 .of a ,third, a call upon the partner; was expected to be made. 

 Charles I. supposing little advantage would accrue from the under- 

 taking, re-convejed to Sir Hugh Middleton, in \m life.time, the 

 royal moiety, on condition of having secured to him and his succes- 

 sors a fee-farm rent of 500/. per annum, This moiety was like* 



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