CHAP. IV. RENNIE'S CANALS. 145 



soughs or small tunnels were carried into the hillside for 

 a considerable distance, at a level much below that of the 

 canal. These again were crossed by other intercepting 

 drains, so that numerous distinct outlets were provided 

 for the water to prevent its reaching the canal works, 

 which were thus made to stand after great difficulties 

 had been overcome and much expense incurred. Besides 

 these works, there were the usual bridges, aqueducts, 

 culverts, &c., all of which were executed in a substantial 

 and satisfactory manner. Among the finest architectural 

 structures forming part of the canal is the aqueduct 

 over the river Avon, about a mile from Limpley Stoke 

 and six miles from Bath, which is greatly admired for 

 the beauty of its elevation ; and indeed, wherever there 

 is an aqueduct or a bridge upon the line of this canal, it 

 will be found excellent in workmanship and tasteful in 

 design. As a whole, the navigation was pronounced to 

 be one of the best executed in the kingdom ; and the 

 works have stood admirably down to the present time. 

 In a commercial and national point of view the under- 

 taking was of great importance, connecting as it did the 

 navigation of the metropolis with that of Bristol and St. 

 George's Channel, as well as opening up an extensive 

 intermediate district ; and it eventually proved highly 

 remunerative to the proprietors. 



Another important line of navigation, on which 

 Mr. Eennie was shortly after engaged, was the Eochdale 

 Canal, projected for the purpose of opening up a direct 

 water communication between the manufacturing dis- 

 tricts of West Yorkshire and South Lancashire, to avoid 

 the circuitous route of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. 

 The main line extended from the Duke of Bridge water's 

 Canal at Manchester, by Eochdale and Todmorden, to 

 the river Calder at Sowerby Bridge, a distance of 31| 

 miles, with a branch to join the Leeds and Liverpool 

 Canal at Wanless, and other branches to Bury and 

 Bolton. From the rugged nature of the country over 



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