HISTORY OF

104.

shire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire, and after an accurate survey it wasfound to be practicable. This survey was chiefly promoted by the lateMr. Hardman, an active and able friend to the commercial interests ofthis nation, and one of the representatives of that borough.

The public is indebted to the earl Cower (now marquis of Stafford)and the late lord Anfon, for another survey of the intended course ofthis canal, made by Mr. Brindley in 1758, and afterwards reviewedby Mr. Smeaton, F. R. S. and Mr. Brindley, jointly ; and these sur-veyors concurred in opinion, that no tract of land in the kingdomwas naturally better adapted for the purpose of an inland navigation,and that none stood in more need of it, or was so convenient for aaunion of the east and west seas.

In the year 1760, a public meeting was advertised and held atSandon, in Staffordstdre, at which lord Cower, lord Anfon, and a greatnumber of the neighbouring gentlemen, land-owners and manufacturers,attended ; but difficulties arising, farther surveys were advised, and onethousand 'pounds subscribed for the extending of the surveys fromtideway to tideway. Another meeting was held the fame year, andMr. Brindley and Mr. Smeaton attended with their surveys, accordingto their last orders. The result of this meeting I shall mention hereafter^and give the reasons why the second plan was approved and executed in.preference to the first.

CHAP.