34-8

HISTORY OF

£

Barrow - - - 3,10a

Shannon - - - 7,660

Grand canal - - - 4,585

Boyne - 9 > 5°7

Fergus - - - - 85

The total of the money paid out of the revenues for inland naviga-tions, collieries, docks, &c. amounts to the enormous sum of 379,3881.

It is not to be wondered at, that, in 1771, after the grand canal hadbeen so long in hand, and after such great sums had been expended onit, though so little was completed, and every thing nearly at a stand, themanagement of it should be taken from persons so unfit for such a work,and committed to others. This alteration, however, has not succeededto the wishes of the nation, or promoted the interest of the employers.

NORTH AMERICA.

THE United States of America, now in their infancy as a nation,cannot be expected as yet to afford many examples of improvement bycanals. That country, if I may be allowed the metaphor, resembles ayoung man just out of his apprenticeship, and set up in business for him-self, whose whole time, care, abilities, and exertions must be employedto maintain his credit and situation, without his being able for sometime to afford to lay by any thing for improvements. In like mannerAmerica, but lately disengaged from her dependency on the mothercountry, and after a war for her freedom, which has deranged, and fora time ruined her finances, cannot be supposed capable of improvingthe advantages which nature has bestowed on her. She poflefles animmense sea-coast, the whole length of which is happily situated fortrade, and abounds with excellent bays and harbours, while the internal4 parts