t ZS7 ] 

 method of conducting, is finking fhafts like 

 thofe of coal pits, in a line over the courfc 

 of the canal ; engines are then erected, and 

 the earth, rock, coal, and all the fubftances 

 that rife, drawn up by a horfe, which is 

 kept regularly employed in dravyjng up th^ 

 Huff, as faft as the workmen dig it below, 

 in hollowing out the cavern : It is walled, 

 paved, and arched, as they finiih. Other 

 machines, worked by wind and water, are. 

 erected alfo to draw up the water: The 

 whole work is carried on regularly, and all 

 obftructions removed as faft as they are dif- 

 covered. In a word, the fuccefs is not 

 doubted , but as to the extent of the ex- 

 pence, it cannot admit of calculation, as it 

 is impoffible to conjecture the nature of the 

 ftrata they will have to cut through, the 

 hardnefs of the rock, or the quantities of 

 water with which they will be troubled. I 

 was told that the navigation will be in fome 

 places near two hundred feet below the fur- 

 face. 



By fuch noble undertakings is the pre- 

 fent age peculiarly diftinguiihed. When 

 agriculture, manufactures, and commerce 

 flourifh, a nation grows rich and great, and 

 riches cannot abound, without exciting that 

 general induftry, and fpirit for improvement, 

 which at laft leads to performing works, 

 which, in poorer times, would be thought 

 wonders. 



Vol. III. S At 



