INTERN A L COMMUNIC ATION.

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portance to be fully acquainted with theirnature, construction, and the extent of theirutility, as a inode of internal communication.

The sudden change in the public opinion,respecting the preference of Rail-road to Canal conveyance, may excite surprise in the mindsof many ; on more attentive consideration,however, it will be seen to result from thenatural course of events; and what, from thenature of the two modes, might have beenanticipated ; no doubt, the excess of capitalin the country may have operated to accele-rate the enquiry, but the real cause proceedsfrom the peculiar situation and condition ofthe two modes.

At the time of the introduction of canals intoGreat Britain, Rail-roads were in a state ofrelative insignificance, compared with the cha-racter which they at present assume; like otherarts, they have been gradually and progres-sively improving ; and, since the application ofsteam-power to drag the carriages upon them,they have attained such a feature of value, asto entitle them to the most serious attention ofthe public.

Canals, ever since their adoption, have under-gone little or no change; some trivial improve-ments may have been effected in the mannerof passing boats from one level to another, but,