472 POPULAR LECTURES AND ADDRESSES. 



sudden impulse to the summit of the progressive 

 wave, that a very great improvement recently 

 introduced into canal transports owes its existence. 

 As far as I am able to learn, the isolated fact 

 was discovered accidentally on the Glasgow and 

 Ardrossan Canal of small dimensions. A spirited 

 horse in the boat of William Houston, Esq., one of 

 the proprietors of the works, took fright and ran 

 off dragging the boat with it, and it was then 

 observed, to Mr. Houston's astonishment, that the 

 foaming stern surge which used to devastate the 

 banks had ceased, and the vessel was carried on 

 through water comparatively smooth with a resist- 

 ance very greatly diminished. Mr. Houston had 

 the tact to perceive the mercantile value of this 

 fact to the canal company with which he was 

 connected, and devoted himself to introducing 

 on that canal vessels moving with this high 

 velocity. The result of this improvement was 

 so valuable, in a mercantile point of view, as to 

 bring, from the conveyance of passengers at a 

 high velocity, a large increase of revenue to the 

 canal proprietors. The passengers and luggage 



