20 
TRAVELS 
attracted the attention of the Swedifh government, and they em¬ 
ployed immenfe fums, at different times, during aim oft a whole 
century, for the execution of it; notwithftanding, this vaft enter- 
prize proceeded fo (lowly, and with fo little effed:, that it feemed 
to mock every human effort of flrength or (kill. Its adual ac- 
complifhment w T as referved to teach a very important leffon to 
governments, and all great bodies of men, that though any under¬ 
taking fhould languifh and fail under their direction, yet it may 
be quickened, and may fucceed, when it becomes the intereft of 
individuals not to embezzle the general (lock, when their fortune 
depends on their entering minutely into all the details of labour 
and expence, and on bringing the work as fpeedily as polfible to 
a juft and happy conclufion. An aftbciation was formed of 
Gothenburg merchants and others, a joint ftock w ? as raifed, the 
privilege of a toll on a future canal was granted and fecured by 
government, (hares in the eventual produce were fold at higher 
and higher prices as the work advanced, and in the courfe of five 
or fix years the canal was completed. The length of this canal, 
on which there are nine locks, is nearly three miles; the width 
thirty-fix feet; the depth in fome places above fifty. Bafins are 
formed at convenient diftances for various purpofes, which it is 
unneceffary to enumerate. It is not eafy for any one to form an 
idea of the difficulties that were to be furmounted in the forma¬ 
tion of this w 7 onderful canal, unlefs he had been an eye-witnefs. 
The fpeftator now views the fmooth level as if it had been fo 
always, and lofcs fight of the heights and rugged fubftances 
through 
