168 THE WEDGWOODS. 



sified the interest which had been created in the subject, and 

 at length, in 1762, James Brindley, the prince of engineers, 

 who had been employed in erecting wind flint-mills, corn- 

 mills, engines, &c., in the pot district, and who was success- 

 fully carrying out the duke's canal, was engaged to make 

 the survey through Staffordshire. " The schemer," as he 

 was aptly called, had, as early as 1758, made a rough survey 

 of the district, and in the two succeeding years he continued 

 his surveys and mastered the levels necessary on the pro- 

 posed line of canal. Meetings in support of the proposed 

 scheme were held, and Smeaton as well as Brindley pro- 

 duced their plans ; but the project of inland water commu- 

 nication being in its entire infancy, and the duke's canal 

 being unfinished, the projectors left their scheme in abey- 

 ance for some time, while they watched with intense anxiety 

 the progress towards completion of the duke's canal. When 

 it was opened, and its success became palpable, the Stafford- 

 shire scheme was revived with increased spirit. Wedgwood 

 entered into it with all the ardour and energy of his nature ; 

 but at this time rival schemes, unthought of before, sprang 

 up and had to be encountered. Brindley's project was 

 wisely considered to be the plan for the district, and to this 

 plan, which was also backed by the Duke of Bridgwater, 

 Josiah. Wedgwood gave his firm and lasting adhesion. One 

 of Brindley's letters, written on the 21st of December, 1765, 

 shows how energetically Wedgwood worked in the promo- 

 tion of this scheme, which became in the end one of the 

 greatest blessings to the district which it ever enjoyed. The 

 following is an extract : 



" On Tusdey Sr Georg sent Nuton in to Manchestr to make what 

 intrest he could for Sir Georg and to gather ye old Navogtors 

 togather to meet Sir Georg at Stoperd to make Head a ganst His 

 grace. I sawe Doctor Seswige who sese Hee wants to see you 

 aboat pamant of His Land in Cheshire. On "Wednesday ther was 

 not much transpired, but was so dark I could carse do aneything. 



"On Thursday "Wadgwood of Burslam came to Dunham and 

 sant for mee and wee dined with Lord Gree & Sir Hare Mainwering 

 and others. Sir Hare cud not ceep His Tamer. Mr. Wedgwood 



