222 JOHN METCALF, ROAD MAKER. PART III. 



He could measure timber or hay in the stack, and rapidly 

 reduce their contents to feet and inches after a mental 

 process of his own. Withal he was endowed with an 

 extraordinary activity and spirit of enterprise, which, 

 had his sight been spared him, would probably have 

 rendered him one of the most extraordinary men of his 

 age. A s it was, Metcalf now became one of the greatest 

 of its road-makers and bridge-builders. 



About the year 1765 an Act was passed empowering 

 a turnpike-road to be constructed between Harrogate 

 and Boroughbridge. The business of contractor had not 

 yet come into existence, nor was the art of road-making 

 much understood ; and in a remote country place such 

 as Knaresborough the surveyor had some difficulty in 

 finding persons capable of executing the necessary work. 

 The shrewd Metcalf discerned in the proposed enterprise 

 the first of a series of public roads of a similar kind 

 throughout the northern counties, for none knew better 

 than he did how great was the need of them. He 

 determined, therefore, to enter upon this new line of 

 business, and offered to Mr. Ostler, the master surveyor, 

 to construct three miles of the proposed road between 

 Minskip and Fearnsby. Ostler knew the man well, and 

 having the greatest confidence in his abilities, he let him 

 the contract. Metcalf sold his stage-waggons and his 

 interest in the carrying business between York and 

 Knaresborough, and at once proceeded with his new 

 undertaking. The materials for metaling the road were 

 to be obtained from one gravel-pit for the whole length, 

 and he made his arrangements on a large scale accord- 

 ingly, hauling out the ballast with unusual expedition 

 and economy, at the same time proceeding with the 

 formation of the road at all points ; by which means he 

 was enabled the first to complete his contract, to the 

 entire satisfaction of the surveyor and trustees. 



This was only the first of a vast number of similar 

 projects on which Metcalf was afterwards engaged, 



