Page:Rivers, Canals, Railways of Great Britain.djvu/300

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1762, to suggest a mode of improving this navigation, which they did by recommending a lock at Brayford Head, and to raise the water 10 inches higher, so as to make the canal 3 feet 6 inches in depth. Their estimate for this and other necessary works amounted to £3,816, 18s. 8d. Twenty years afterwards, Mr. Smeaton again reported on this navigation, by which it appears that the previous designs of this eminent engineer and his colleague had not been carried into execution. But, as these reports relate more particularly to the drainage of the adjacent lands, we shall not further advert to them.

The original object of this canal, adopting the opinion that it is a monument of Roman ingenuity and greatness, was to convey the corn produced in the rich provinces of Lincoinshire, Northamptonshire, &c. direct to their favourite station of Eboracum (York,) by means of a canal, rather than trust to the uncertain circuitous navigation seaward. It is still used for the export of the surplus agricultural produce, but more particularly to import coal to Lincoln and its vicinity.

Those who desire further information respecting these Roman works, we refer to a letter addressed by the Rev. Dr. Stukeley, in 1735, to Francis Drake, F.R.S. at the time the latter gentleman was engaged in writing his Eboracum, and which will be found at full length, at page 38 of that excellent History of the Antiquities of the City of York.

GARNKIRK AND GLASGOW RAILWAY.

7 George IV. Cap. 103, Royal Assent 26th May, 1826.

7 & 8 George IV. Cap. 88, Royal Assent 14th June, 1827.

11 George IV. Cap. 125, Royal Assent 17th June, 1830.

THIS railway commences from the Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway at Cargill Colliery, near Gartsherrie Bridge, in the county of Lanark, whence it proceeds in a westwardly direction by Gartcloss, Gartcosh, Garnkirk, Robroyston, Milton, Broomfield, Gernuston, Rosebank, and Pinkston, to the north end of the bridge across the cut of junction between the Forth and Clyde and Monkland Canals, on the road between Glasgow Field and Keppoch. It is in length eight miles, one furlong and four chains;