CHAP. V. THE LINCOLN FENS. 157 



"to order a boat, and accompanied me into the heart 

 of East Fen, which had the appearance of a chain of 

 lakes, bordered by great crops of reed." Sir Joseph 

 was a man of great public spirit and determination : he 

 did not allow the matter to sleep, but proceeded to 

 organize the ways and means of carrying his design 

 into effect. His county neighbours were very slow to 

 act, but they gradually became infected by his example, 

 and his irresistible energy carried them along with him. 

 The first step taken was to call meetings of the pro- 

 prietors in the several districts adjoining the drowned 

 and " rotten lands." Those of Wildmore Fen met at 

 Horncastle on the 27th of August, 1799, and resolu- 

 tions were adopted authorizing the employment of Mr. 

 Rennie to investigate the subject and report to a future 

 meeting. 



One reason, amongst others, which weighed with Sir 

 Joseph Banks in pressing on the measure was the 

 scarcity of corn, which about that time had risen almost 

 to a famine price. There was also great difficulty in 

 obtaining supplies from abroad, in consequence of the 

 war which was then raging. Sir Joseph entertained 

 the patriotic opinion that the best way of providing for 

 the exigency was to extend the area of our English food- 

 ground by the reclamation of the waste lands ; and hence 

 his determination to place under tillage, if possible, the 

 thousands of acres of rich soil, equal to the area of some 

 English counties, lying under water almost at his own 

 door. A few years' zealous efforts, aided by the skill 

 of his engineer, produced . such results as amply to 

 justify his anticipations, and proved his patriotism to 

 be as wise as his public spirit was beneficent. 



The manner in which Mr. Rennie proceeded to work 

 out the problem presented to him was thoroughly cha- 

 racteristic of the man. Most of the drainage attempted 

 before his time was of a very partial and inefficient 

 character. It was enough if the drainers got rid of the 



