HISTORY OF

3H

“ Thus the cutting five, or at most six miles, would answer everyvaluable purpose in that division of the kingdom; but more particularlyto the Highlanders, who, by finding themselves brought nearer by ahundred miles to Glasgow, and its communications with other parts ofthe island, would gradually forget the grievances under which they havelaboured. A voyage which frequently takes three weeks, would by thiseasy passage be performed in three or four days, in all seasons of theyear, whether in time of peace or war. By thus cutting off the penin-sula of Cantire, the voyage from Glasgow to the Hebrides would be en-tirely inland, and thereby screened in a great measure from the dreadfultempests of the Atlantic.”

The expence of a canal of ten feet water, and fourteen locks, is esti-mated by Mr. Watts, the engineer, at 48,405 k; but as large busses, beingfliarp-bottomed, will require, when full loaded, eleven feet water, andas it is proposed to admit vessels of 120 tons for the herring fishery, Iconceive that twelve feet will be more than sufficient for the purpose offisheries. But there is another object of very considerable importance,though hitherto unnoticed, for which a deep-water canal at this placewould be essentially useful ; that is, the expedition, facility, and securityby which troops and military baggage would be conveyed between theHighlands and the Clyde, where the troops take shipping for the placesof their destination.

I am happy to hear that the expediency of this navigation is now ge-nerally admitted, and that persons of rank have it seriously in contem-plation. It would still be more pleasing were government to undertakethe completion of it at the public expence*. Highways, inland navi-gations, the forming or repairing of harbours, have in all ages andcountries, Great Britain excepted, been considered as public works, and

* Dr. Anderson advises that this work should be completed by private subscription.

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