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In regard to the parliamentary powers applied for by coun-ties, I shall just farther observe, that they have generally foundit necessary (after wielding for a while the powers art first ap-plied for, and obtained as sufficient) to make application for anenlargement of these powers, both as to the raising of funds,and compelling the surrender, on fair equivalent, of privaterights of property, standing in the way of improvement, eitheras to the widening of the roads, giving them a more proper al-ignment, or procuring materials for their formation.
In regard to the mechanical construction of roads, there isnot much specification to be found in the County Reports, (seeAppendix 3 .)
In the county of Kirkcudbright, the road most commendedby the Reporter, is one from Dumfries to Newton-Stewart, adistance of fifty-two miles, planned by an engineer trained byLord Daer. It is forty feet wide between the hedges, five feetbeing allowed for a foot-path. * Another, from thence throughthe county of Wigton to Port-Patrick, is, indeed, only thirtyfeet wide betwixt the fences ; but, in this, level has been so muchconsulted, that, with very few exceptions, the acclivity does notexceed 1 in 40, the greatest being I in 30. In Berwickshire,the stage upon the great English road, from Ayton Bridge to theEnglish border, has very lately been made anew. The greatestacclivity exceeds not 1 in 42, excepting in one place, - where it isregretted that it had unavoidably to be 1 in 32. This road isforty feet wide, sixteen feet in the middle metalled, allowing ofa summer road on each side, each of which may, in alternateyears, be travelled upon in dry weather, or serve as a space inwhich to deposit the materials of repair. In regard to level,however, there seems to be an opinion, that if it prevails toomuch, and too invariably, the uniformity of the pulling, fatiguesdraught-horses more than if it was at intervals relieved by some-what greater acclivities, although requiring occasionally greaterexertion. Upon somewhat similar principles, it may be observ-ed, that, where a very long ascent is unavoidable, it might beproper, at intervals, to form a part so near to level, that horsesmight rest a little without bearing against the yoke, even al-though, by so doing, the different stages of ascent must neces-sarily have a little more rate of acclivity.
In regard to shape, the cornea seems to be preferred ; a seg-ment of a large circle, but not so large as not to afford a declineof at least I in 36, from the crown of the road to the side drains;at a less rate of declination, water could not run off the road ;if much greater, unless the horse keeps exactly the middle of'he road, the weight rests most on the lower wheels, and the
* Madame Rolland was at once struck with au idea of the happiness of the"ritish constitution, upon observing this marked attention to the lowev ovder-v•athe English roads.