PREFACE.

“ 1st, He had to convince government of theadvantages to be derived from the scheme, andinduce them to furnish the means of defraying theexpense; 2d, to procure the consent of all thenumerous, and in some instances turbulent, bodiesof local trustees, upon an extensive line of road;and, 3d, to arrange the sea communication be-tween Holyhead and Dublin ; for which purposethe harbour of Holyhead was improved, in a man-ner which has rendered it serviceable as a harbourof refuge, far beyond the immediate purpose ofprotection of the packets ; and a harbour has alsobeen made at Howth , northward of the city ofDublin . All this he has effectually accomplished,and by extending his services beyond the usualduties of a parliamentary commissioner, and thereindevoting much of his time to the personal inspec-tion of practical operations, he has acquired soperfect a knowledge of road-making in all itsbranches, as has enabled him to produce the mostvaluable Treatise which has appeared in England,on the history, principles, and practice of thatspecies of national improvement.”