James Godfrey de Burgh, William Pope, and William Perry, Esquires, the trustees chosen by the persons interested.

The burgage-holders of the manor and borough, and the freeholders and copyholders of the manor of Colham, the persons entitled to direct the application of the money, held scveral public meetings in the year 1808, and, under the advice of eminent counsel, determined to erect a substantial bridge across that branch of the river Coln, which divides the town from the parish of Hillingdon at Rockingham ford, and another bridge across the ford on Uxbridge Common, at the end of Watery Lane, between the lands then in the possession of Mr. Porcher and Mr. Corbett, and to build an arch over a drain across the road leading from Hillingdon to Harlington.

The bridges were accordingly erected, agreeably to the directions of the Act of Parliament of the 43 George III. c. lix. which was necessary to render them county bridges, and the arch in the Harlington Road was built under the direction of the following gentlemen: Arthur Benson, Esq. Messrs. Joseph Allen, John Austin, John Hull, Daniel Scott Norton, John Richard Buckhurst, Josias Du Pre Porcher, Esq. Richard Heming, Esq. Dr. O'Donnel,

Messrs. Samuel Hull, Joseph Lovett, Benjamin Fassnidge, and Mark Burr.

The stock by accumulation amounted, when it was sold out on the 22nd. of December 1808, to one thousand five hundred and sixty-two pounds eighteen shillings and one penny, three per cent. reduced annuities, which, with a dividend, produced one thousand and forty-five pounds fifteen shillings and twopence. This sum was paid by the trustees to the committee, pursuant to a requisition from the parties interested, and applied for the before-mentioned purposes and part of it in making a footpath from Kingston-lane to Hillingdon church, and two foot bridges between Peel-heath and Colham-green. The neighbourhood is much indebted to Mr. Benson for his indefatigable exertions on this occasion.

Highways through the Town.

The roads within this township had, from time immemorial, been repaired at the expense of the inhabitants, in the same manner as parish highways are commonly kept. But by the Act of the 25 Geo. III. certain trustees were empowered to nominate a surveyor to the Justices, at their annual sessions for the high

ways, who are directed to appoint such nominee, and the surveyor is required to account with the trustees. Other powers were also given to the trustees, but the statute of the 46 Geo. III. having repealed so much of the first Act," as relates to paving the Footways, and lighting and cleansing the Streets, and other Places within the said Town, and removing and preventing Nuisances and Annoyances therein," the trustees are at present restricted to the superintendence and direction of the roads, or highways within the town.

The total repeal of the Act of the 25 Geo. III. is desirable, for great inconvenience is experienced by its partial repeal. Those persons who desire to compound for the statuteduty are enabled by this Act to do so at the following low rates:

Five shillings per day for 6 days in each year, in lieu of statute duty for each Team, Draught or Plough.

Two shillings per day for 6 days in each year, in lieu of statute duty for each Cart with one Horse or Beast of Draught.

Three shillings per day for 6 days in each year, in

lieu of statute duty for every Cart with two Horses or Beasts of Draught.

One penny per day for 6 days in each year, in lieu of statute duty for every 20s. of the annual value of the lands, tenements and hereditaments of the individual.

When the Act passed in the year 1785, the above rates of composition might be esteemed fair and equitable, but the very reverse is the case at present, when more than triple that sum would be insufficient, in each instance, for the hire of such carriage.

The present trustees are as follows;-the Lords of the Manor and Borough for the time being, and Thomas Avery, Esq. Messrs. Samuel Blount, Mark Burr, Henry Geary, George Handy, Owen Jones, Joseph Lovett, Henry Lott Mason, John Mercer, and Thomas Hurry Riches.

The average amount of the rates raised for the repair of the highways, exclusive of the statute duty, is about £140 per annum.

SECTION 5.

GRAND JUNCTION CANAL, &c.

The advantages to be derived from inland navigation by means of canals, have been long perceived by civilized nations. The Chinese are famous in history for their canals. Many other nations have also employed them, and the Greeks and Romans were not strangers to the important uses to which they may be turned. Some countries, however, have not possessed the means of availing themselves of these advantages. Local circumstances have greatly retarded or facilitated the adoption of water carriage. When the face of a country is favourable, and a good supply of water can be easily commanded, it is a mode of conveyance, which, in many respects, far excels all others. The very trifling degree of friction with which goods may be transported, and the comparative cheapness of the mode itself, form strong reasons with mercantile men for preferring it before land carriage. The Canals of England are comparatively modern. The first commercial Canal was cut about the middle of the last century, it is that from the river Mersey to near Saint Hellins in Lancashire.