INLAND NAVIGATION.

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and the delay which this circumstance must occasion, will unavoidablybe so very considerable as to render the other way much more expedi-tious and beneficial to the public.

It is also worthy of observation, that if the canal fliould terminate atNorthwich, the communication between the interior parts of the king-dom and the port. of Liverpool would not be near so complete as if itwere to terminate at Runcorn, as the conveyance by this last placewould at the same time be cheaper and more expeditious.

. If goods are taken off the canal at Northwich to be sent downthe Weaver, they will be liable to be retarded in the first place atPickering’s locks, about four miles above Frodlham-bridge, where thereis a fliallow, by which vessels are detained sometimes five, six, or sevendays for want of water. The spring tides flow only here about anhour and a half each tide ; and it is only during that space (except inland floods) that a boat can pass this shallow. There is likewise aboveFrodlham-bridge a bar that runs across the river, which, during lowneap tides, is impassable for three or four days. There are likewiseseveral other shallows in this river. These delays and inconveniencesrender this navigation ineffectual for the conveyance of the produceeven of the county of Chester, as far the most considerable part of thecheese produced in that county is now carried by land parallel with thewhole length of this excellent navigation (as it is called) to Frodlham-bridge and Bank Quay; from which place it is conveyed by flats to-Liverpool, there to be relhipped for London and other markets. Saltlikewise, the other staple article of this county, is sent in great quantitiesall by land carriage from Northwich to Manchester, for the supply ofthat town, and a very extensive and populous neighbourhood, notwith-standing the p^fent navigable communication between those places..These are facts that prove to a demonstration how ineffectual the pre-sent navigations are for the commerce of the country they pass through,

and.