CHAP. IV. SIR COnXELirs VBBMUYDBN, 67 



carried out ; it was too large for the narrow views and 

 the still narrower purses of the landed proprietors in the 

 Level a hundred years since. It was reserved for Mr. 

 KVmiie to evoke the enterprise of the Fen lords, and 

 induce them to carry out the thorough drainage of the 

 low lying lands on sound scientific principles. He clearly 

 pointed out that this could only be satisfactorily effected 

 by cutting down the outfalls to low water of spring 

 tides, and thus facilitating the escape of the waters to 

 the utmost extent, a course of action which, as we shall 

 hereafter point out, he carried into effect with remark- 

 able success. 



Meanwhile, improvements of all kinds went steadily 

 on, until all the rivers flowing through the Level were 

 artificially altered and diverted into new channels, ex- 

 cepting the Nene, which is the only natural river in 

 the Fen district remaining comparatively unaltered. 

 New dykes, causeways, embankments, and sluices were 

 formed ; many droves, learns, eaus, and drains were 

 cut, furnished with gowts or gates at their lower ends, 

 which were from time to time dug, deepened, and 

 widened. Mills were set to work to pump out the water 

 from the low grounds ; first windmills, sometimes with 

 double-lifts, as practised in Holland ; and more recently 

 powerful steam-engines, as first recommended by Mr. 

 Rennie. Sluices were also erected to prevent the inland 

 waters from returning ; strong embankments extending 

 in all directions, to keep the rivers and tides within 

 their defined channels. To protect the land from the 

 sea waters as well as the fresh, to build and lock 

 back the former, and to keep the latter within due 

 limits, was the work of the engineer ; and by his skill, 

 aided by the industry of his contractors and workmen, 

 water, instead of being the master and tyrant as of old, 

 became man's servant and pliant agent, and was used as 

 an irrigator, a conduit, a mill-stream, or a water-road 

 for extensive districts of country. In short, in no part 



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