PREFACE.

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consider the surface of the soil, or the mines in its bowels, neces-sarily finds his advantage from new markets, and from having acheaper carriage both for his productions and his manure.

The experiment has now been made for some years, and canalshave been cut to an extent of near a thousand miles, and in mostcafes to the advantage of the public, even where they have notbeen gainful to the individuals concerned in them. In some partsof the country prejudices still prevail ; and the popular objection,that inland navigations tend to diminish the number of our sea-men, has frequently influenced the minds of those who were notbiassed by any particular private interest. In some instancesthe coasting navigation may have been lessened by them (thoughthis has not been proved, and still remains doubtful), but inothers it has been increased; and there can be no doubt that agreater extension of our distant navigation has arisen from a sys-tem which has, in effect, converted the internal parts of ourisland into coasts.

To the cheapness of conveyance, compared with land-carriage,should be added the advantages attendant on an easy and securecommunication of the different parts of the country one with an-other, during the tempestuous months, and in times of war ; whenvessels from the northern parts of Europe will readily make theHumber, from whence, by means of canals, there is a communica-tion with the rivers Mersey, Dee, Severn, Avon, Thames, &c. anextent of water-carriage exceeding five hundred miles, intersecting

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