the present generation are deprived; but having been born in the present century, and benefiting as we do by the labours carried on through, and discoveries made in past times, none but lunatics would regret the fact that they first saw the light of day in the nineteenth century, consequently most persons will undoubtedly be of the same opinion as Mr. Cibber, and will think it lucky they were born so late.

What were the good old times of which so much has been said? Was it when the streets of London and other towns were of a night in almost complete darkness; when the roadways were impassable; when both country and town were ill protected against robbery and outrage; when a journey which now occupies only a couple of hours took an entire day or night; when valuable property and possibly life was sacrificed on the way? In my opinion those who live latest in the world's history are most to be envied, for as time progresses, so will the journey through life be rendered the more enjoyable, if, as I imagine, the comfort of the traveller is dependent on the period at which he sets forth on his travels.

Roads have at all times been the agents by which society has been consolidated; they are to a certain extent the avenues of political, social, and commercial intercourse. Successive invasions, and final conquest and occupation, render commerce practicable, promote civilisation, and create history; but it is roads that provide inlets and outlets for manufactured articles, that facilitate travelling, and break down local prejudices.

The existence of highways dates from a very early period. The same thing cannot be said with regard to byways; there is little doubt that by-roads,

ORIGIN OF BYWAYS OR CROSS-ROADS.

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some of which are now of considerable importance, in fact leading thoroughfares, were once upon a time mere cart-tracks, after which, as the land became cultivated on either side of them, they were probably fenced in. In course of time they became green lanes; and afterwards when houses, farmsteads, or cottages were built beside or near them, they passed through a still further state of transition: stones of some description were laid down, and they were by gradual process converted into established roadways. Possibly later on they fell under the jurisdiction of Highway Boards, and became subjected to parochial maintenance. Leading, as they frequently did, from one important highway to another, they were indispensable to the inhabitants of the districts through which they passed, and it is on these roads that you frequently observe every fault which a road can possibly possess, for this reason: no skill of any kind, but mere chance, led to their formation. Probably the first man who drove his cart and horse over some rough moorland or across low-lying ground, using his discretion in avoiding whatever obstacle came in his path, was the first pioneer of what afterwards became very probably an important road, since where one goes another is almost certain to follow; and so the mere track becomes in process of time an important thoroughfare, which eventually, owing to its erratic windings and its eccentric way of overcoming gradients, excites in the minds of all intelligent persons who use it, the utmost derision, vexation, and scorn.

But with high-roads it is quite a different matter; but as regards the high-roads and by-roads of Great Britain at the present day, they are like veins and arteries which intersect its entire system in the same manner

as do the veins and arteries of the human body, London being the heart, whereas the other big towns throughout England, Scotland, and Wales may be said to represent the less important blood-vessels. But in speaking of highways, we must remember that they did not owe their existence to mere chance, like byways; they were formed by competent road constructors, who were probably the most able men of their time in this particular branch of industry to penetrate the kingdom in all directions and connect towns of importance.

In early days there is no doubt that all attempt at locomotion on wheels away from the main roads. was an impossibility. But to speak of the commercial importance of good roads, they are of importance to commerce in so much as they tend to civilise a country. Roads are always the first things thought of in new countries and by early settlers, and the construction of roads always follows upon an invasion and occupation of a foreign country.

To cite an instance of skilful road construction in past times, the Peruvians were great road-makers. There is a magnificent road from Quitto to Cusco in Peru, extending into Chili over the grand Plateau, and passing over pathless sierras, through solid rocks, and over bridges suspended almost in mid-air. There are roads in Peru extending from fifteen hundred to two thousand miles. The road from Quitto to Cusco is twenty feet wide, made of freestone, with bituminous cement on the top. I merely mention these roads as showing the skill possessed by the ancient inhabitants of these regions, and the ability with which they overcame the extraordinary difficulties presented by Nature.

i

GREEK ROADS.

Under the heading of Roads in the French Encyclopædia are the following interesting facts:

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"The policy of road maintenance does not begin to show itself as worthy of consideration until the prosperous times of Greece. The Senate of Athens watched over them. They were by the Lacedæmonians, Thebans, and other states, confided to the care of their most eminent men. It does not, however, appear that this display of wisdom produced any considerable effect in Greece. It was reserved for a commercial people to benefit by facility in travelling and transporting goods; hence it is that the invention. of paved roads is attributed to the Carthaginians.

"The Romans did not neglect the example of the Carthaginians, and this particular industry is most creditable to the Romans. The first road they made was the Via Appia,* the second the Via Aurelia, the third the Via Flaminia.

"The public and the senate held the roads in such estimation, and took so great an interest in them, that under Julius Cæsar the principal cities of Italy all communicated with Rome by paved roads. The Roman roads from that period began to be extended into the provinces.

"During one of the last great wars in which the Romans were engaged, they made a road with rectangular broken stones ('de cailloux taillés en quarré '), from Spain through Gaul to the Alps.

"Domitius Enoberbus paved the Via Domitia, which led to Savoy, Dauphiny, and Provence. The Romans made in Germania another paved road. Augustus, when emperor, paid more attention to the great roads than he had done during his consulate.

* The Appian Way.

as do the veins and arteries of the human body, London being the heart, whereas the other big towns throughout England, Scotland, and Wales may be said to represent the less important blood-vessels. But in speaking of highways, we must remember that they did not owe their existence to mere chance, like byways; they were formed by competent road constructors, who were probably the most able men of their time in this particular branch of industry to penetrate the kingdom in all directions and connect towns of importance.

In early days there is no doubt that all attempt at locomotion on wheels away from the main roads was an impossibility. But to speak of the commercial importance of good roads, they are of importance to commerce in so much as they tend to civilise a country. Roads are always the first things thought of in new countries and by early settlers, and the construction of roads always follows upon an invasion and occupation of a foreign country.

To cite an instance of skilful road construction in past times, the Peruvians were great road-makers. There is a magnificent road from Quitto to Cusco in Peru, extending into Chili over the grand Plateau, and passing over pathless sierras, through solid rocks, and over bridges suspended almost in mid-air. There are roads in Peru extending from fifteen hundred to two thousand miles. The road from Quitto to Cusco is twenty feet wide, made of freestone, with bituminous cement on the top. I merely mention these roads as showing the skill possessed by the ancient inhabitants of these regions, and the ability with which they overcame the extraordinary difficulties presented by Nature.