69 



men, I cannot say, but that it does not 

 apply to the Gloucestershire floaters, I 

 have no hesitation in affirming. I am 

 persuaded that any one of these floaters, 

 who has been regularly brought up in the- 

 pmctice, would give a clearer idea of it, 

 in one hour's conversation on the spot, 

 than JNIr. B. or I can by writing volumes 

 on the subject. Indeed, I have scarcely 

 ever ventured to give one positive direc- 

 tion relative to the art, either in my pre- 

 ceding Treatises or the present, without 

 first consulting these practical men on its 

 propriety. On this giound, I have ex- 

 pressed myself with the more confidence, 

 conscious that I have advisers who have 

 executed the work, and seen its effects, 

 under almost every variety of circum- 

 stances that can occur in this island ; for 

 I can, with no small degree of satisfaction, 

 say, tliat I have been instrumental in 



K sending^ 



