HISTORY OF

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3. It will improve the lands, and increase population.

4. It will save an enormous expence of land-carriage.

Whoever takes only a superficial view of the intermediate countrybetween Leeds and Liverpool, will find that some parts of it abound withthe best coal, but are destitute of lime-stone ; while in other parts he willfind inexhaustible rocks of the best lime-stone, but a total want of coals.In others he will find fine slate, flags, and fire-stone lying neglected,and of no kind of value, on account of the prodigious expence of land-carriage, although they are much wanted along the whole course of thecanal. In some parts there is great plenty of timber fit for ssiip-build-ing, and great quantities of wood proper for common buildings, andmaking tools and utensils in husbandry, as well as for making charcoaland other purposes ; while in others scarcely a single tree, unless plantedfor ornament, is to be seen for many successive miles.

In a great part of Craven and Lancassiire, the whole country, formany miles together, consists almost solely of pasture, and a very smallportion of meadow-land, and is employed in raising and feeding cattleonly ; insomuch that the landlords generally restrain their tenants andservants from using the plough. Their corn for bread, and every otheruse, they are forced to get at a very great expence by land-carriage.

From this cursory and imperfect sketch of the country it is visible, atthe first glance, what general and extensive advantages will accrue to thewhole adjoining country from this canal; which will, as it were, connectthe whole, and make every part partake, at an easy expence, of the na-tural and acquired advantages and conveniences of the rest.

Coals will be carried to burn the lime-stone throughout Craven ; andthe lime-stone will also be carried from thence, and coal brought fromthe coal-works adjoining to the canal.

The