CHAP. IX. IJIIINDLKVS I. AST CANALS. 451 



miles between Coventry and Atherstone, he shortly 

 after gave up his connection with the undertaking, 

 and it remained in an unfinished state for many years, 

 in consequence of the financial difficulties in which the 

 Company had become involved through the insufficiency 

 of their capital. The connection of the Coventry Canal 

 with the Grand Trunk was afterwards completed, in 

 ITS 5, by the Birmingham and Fazeley and Grand Trunk 

 Companies conjointly, and the property eventually proved 

 of great value to all parties concerned. 



The Droitwich Canal, though only a short branch five 

 and a half miles in length, was a very important w r ork, 

 opening up as it did an immense trade in coal and salt 

 between Droitwich and the Severn. The works of this 

 navigation were wholly executed by Brindley, and are 

 considered superior to those of any others on which he was 

 engaged. Whilst residing at Droitwich, we find our en- 

 gineer actively engaged in pushing on the subscription 

 to the Birmingham Canal, of which the capital was taken 

 slowly. Matthew Boulton, of Birmingham, was one of the 

 most active promoters of the scheme, and Josiah Wedg- 

 wood was also bestirring himself in its behalf. In a letter 

 written by him about this time, we find him requesting 

 one of his agents to send out plans to gentlemen whom 

 he names, in the hope of completing the subscription- 

 list. 1 Brindley did not live to finish the Birmingham 



The letter is so characteristic of 



be set on the top of a ladder without set- 



Josiah Wedgwood that we here insert ting his feet upon the lowermost steps; and 



it at length, as copied from the ori- unless he will let the Boy pursue that m.- 



Uiiial in the possession of Mr. Mayer thod ' 1 would not te concerned with him 



of Liverpool I on an y account> I w iU not attempt t<> 



tea< h him any more trades ; it would in- 



"Burslem, li'th July, 1769. j lire the Boy, and do me no good. If he 

 " l>e;ir Sii-. 1 should have wrote to you has a mind at his leisure time to amuse 

 about young Wilson, but the multiplicity himself with drawing I have no objection, 

 .f l>ranclir.> you wrote me he was expected and would encourage him in it, as an inno- 

 t> Irani, made me despair of teaching him j cent amusement, and what may be of use 

 any. Pray give my compliments to his to him, but would not make this a branch 

 father, and if he chooses to have his >on to of his business. If the business I propose 

 learn to lie a waichouseman and book- j is too humble for Mr. Wilson's son, I would 

 keeper, which is <niite sufficient and better ' not by any means have him adept of it. 

 than more for any one person, I will learn Mr. Brindley desires you'll send 30 

 him those in the 1 <^t manner; but, even plans to each of the undermentioned Gentle- 

 then, Mr. Wilson must not expect him to men by the first Wagons, and let us know 



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