110 
WILLIAM SMITH : HIS MAPS AND MEMOIRS 
SMITH'S PROSPECTUS, 1801. 
In 1801 a 4-page 8vo prospectus was issued by W. Smith, dated 
at Midford, near Bath, June 1st, 1801." It was entitled : — 
" Prospectus of a Work, / entitled / Accurate Deline- 
ations / AND / Descriptions / of the / Natural Order / of the 
VARIOUS / Strata / that are found in different parts of / 
England and Wales : / with Practical Observations / there- 
on. / By William Smith, / Land-surveyor and Drainer, / and 
MEMBER OF THE BaTH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY," etc. 
It was evidently intended to be fairly comprehensive, as we learn 
that " the Philosopher may derive an inexhaustible fund of valuable 
information. The miner may learn more readily, as well as more 
certainly, to trace the course of his ore ; and, while his ideas are extended 
a curiosity will naturally be excited, that may pave the way to new 
and unthought-of discoveries. The various artists employed in building, 
from the humble Mortar-maker to the enlightened Architect, must all 
be interested in a method of discovering sand, clay, stone, slate, and 
other materials, and of selecting with certainty such as are best. Fullers, 
Founders, Glass-makers, etc., will learn where to send for earths and 
sands of the qualities best suited to their respective purposes ; and 
sources of supply will, probably, be opened in places of which they now 
entertain no idea. Chemists, Colour-men, Vitriol, Alum, and Salt- 
makers, will learn how to trace the materials they have occasion for ; 
and will be enabled frequently to obtain, at once, the different advan- 
tages of more convenient situations, smaller expense, and an improved 
quality. The Canal Engineer will be enabled to choose his stratum, 
find the most appropriate materials, avoid slippery ground, or remedy 
the evil. The Building Contractor may also form his estimates with 
more certainty to himself, and more satisfaction to his employer, by the 
experience he has had, and the observations that he will be lead to make 
on similar works in a like stratum. Brick-makers, Potters, and others, 
are also interested in a knowledge of the correct Theory of those mater- 
ials which furnish their sole employment. Indeed, there are but few 
of the most necessary occupations of life, that may not derive from this 
Work some useful hint or improvement." 
Further, " The discovery of this regularity in the process of Nature, 
led the author to a complete knowledge of all springs, and the Drainage 
