HISTORY OF

and arched over, large enough for the vessels to pass under with theircargoes, with lights and air-holes at proper distances.

Above twelve millions of cubic feet of earth, and more than thirtythousand cubic feet of solid rock, have been removed to hollow out itsbed. It has on it a hundred and fourteen locks. Sixteen prodigious largemounds have been raised to divert the course of such waters as mightany way obstruct the passage of vessels; and twenty-four large spaciousdrains have been made to empty it, whenever there shall be danger ofits being clogged up, or too full. On a moderate computation, thereare above two hundred and forty thousand cubic feet of stone workin these erections, including a projection into the sea of two hundredfathoms, and a pier of five thousand fathoms more, which at presentsecures the port of Cette, and renders it a very commodious harbour;the advantage of which is the greater, as the coast of Languedoc has nohavens whatever, and is very dangerous.

The expence of this astonishing work was nothing in comparison withits utility.

Notwithstanding France abounds with canals which intersect thecountry, and join not only rivers but seas to each other, to thegreat improvement of the internal part of the kingdom, and the en-couragement of the husbandman and manufacturer, who thus find acheap, eal'y, and ready conveyance for their commodities to a marketand the metropolis; yet have we seen France, immediately on the con-clusion of the American war, after the very active part she had takenin it, turning her attention to the advantages which Holland derivesfrom her inland commerce. She is now imitating her example, and,at an enormous expence, actually cutting three canals or branches ofgreat length to join the most navigable rivers, for the improvementof trade and manufactures. On the reduction of the army and navyin 1782, these canals were immediately begun, to give employment to

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