54 H1ST0RT of the SOCIETT. 



^r C Ss°H« n were not to be left vacant, were to be fold again for the pur- 

 terjsiair. p f e f erec "Hng buildings according to a plan. Sir James con- 



ceived, that the fale of thefe areas, in confequence of the great 

 improvement of their fituation, would raife money fufficient, 

 not only to pay for the firft purchafe of the property, but alfo 

 to defray the expence of building the bridge, and whatever elfe 

 was necefTary for completing the communication. But left 

 there mould be any deficiency, and likewife to afford a fecurity 

 for borrowing the money which might be requifite, the tru- 

 flees for carrying on the work were to be empowered to levy a 

 fum not exceeding 10 per cent, of the valued rents of the 

 houfes in Edinburgh and the environs ; and in order to remove 

 all juft caufe of complaint, he propofed, that if any of the 

 owners of the property to be purchafed mould not agree with 

 the truftees, the price of their property mould be fixed by the 

 verdict of a jury, the jury confiding of fifteen perfons, who 

 were chofen by lot out of forty-five proprietors of houfes or 

 land in the city or county, named by the Sheriff in each parti- 

 cular cafe. 



These propofals were published in November 1784, and met 

 with the fame reception which has often attended fchemes of 

 ftill greater importance and more extenfive utility. They were 

 cenfured and oppofed from various quarters, and fometimes 

 even with virulence. A man of lefs ardour and public fpirit 

 would have yielded to the difcouragements which Sir James 

 experienced on this occafion. Fortunately, he was of fuch a 

 temper, that they ferved only to roufe his exertions, without 

 rendering him lefs prudent in his meafures. His perfeverance 

 furmounted every oppofition. An act of Parliament was ob- 

 tained for carrying into execution, not only the plan which has 

 been mentioned, but likewife feveral others of great confequence 

 to the place; and on the lft day of Auguft 1785, the work, 

 was begun, by laying the foundation-ftone of the bridge,, 



which 



