hitherto enacted have been found either insufficient or destructive of the end proposed, some other expedients are become necessary. The conclusions of the board of agriculture on this important point, should be immediately acted upon it is their opinion, founded on diligent enquiry and mature deliberation, that the object can only be obtained by enforcing such a construction of carriages as are fit only for light loads, and will not carry heavy ones. In short to encourage or enforce the use of short teams, or one horse carts.

The bye ways in these parts, as in most others, are very bad; and a stranger who has experienced the advantages and comfort of good roads, will be at some loss to account for the indifference to this circumstance, manifested by the residents of many parts of the Weald. A complaint seldom or ever escapes the farmer on this score, and so long as his waggons can, with any strength he is able to muster, be drawn through them, it would be difficult to extort a confession, that they are really bad: he will admit perhaps, they are indiffe rent, but in his estimation they cannot be very bad, while his business can be done, and done in any way. If good roads could be formed from each farm house, to the nearest market town, or to the chalk hills, or even throughout the Weald, by a voluntary contribution of £1. for every £10. of rent paid, for one year only, trifling as the sacrifice must appear, it would generally be deemed too great, and the object would, by such means, never be accomplished; nay more, if the end could be effected free of expence, it is very far from certain whether the majority of the tenants in these parts, would express themselves pleased with the alteration. From these premises it might be inferred, that the farmers in this country are more ignorant and less awake to their interests than those of other parts; but this is not the fact; they possess as much good sense and are perhaps as capable of appreciating the advantages of good roads as their neighbours more fortunately situ

.

ated; but in a revolution of this kind they foresee many evils, heightened probably by an attachment to old habits and local prejudices. Be this as it may, it is certain that very important consequences must result from a change of this nature, and on an impartial consideration of the subject, it will be seen that the seeming indifference of the tenant, and his objections to such an innovation, are neither to be attributed to insensibility or unfounded prejudice. He is aware, that by making good roads, his approach to market with his team, and means of obtaining manure, would be facilitated; that by easing the draught, one or two horses might be spared; that the wear and tear of his tackle would be materially reduced; in short, that his business might be carried on with less expence, and with much more pleasure to himself than formerly. What then, it may be asked, can render him lukewarm and indifferent to such a change of circumstances? Simply, that his landlord may be as well able to estimate these advantages as himself, and that ultimately it is more than possible, he may le no gainer by the change. If these notions of the tenant have any weight, and their fears are admitted to be well founded, should not these very considerations operate with the owners of land in such situations to promote as far as in their power the accomplishment of good roads, and stimulate them to step forward in support of any measure calculated to effect so desirable an end. There can be no doubt, but that the landed property in many parts of the Weald, would in such case be more than doubled in value; while the public would be materially benefited, by an increased produce of the land, and the facilities of communication thus afforded.

MINERALS, &c.-Iron ore is found in considerable abundance in different parts of the WEALD, and of very superior quality, but owing to the increased value of fuel, the expence of obtaining lime-stone (for a flux) and the want of a more

ready communication with other parts, the smelting and working this valuable mineral has for some time ceased, and is now removed to places, either more fortunately situated in these respects, or where the importance of inland navigation is better understood and appreciated.

At BETHERSDEN, a grey turbinated marble is dug, formerly much in request for the ornamental parts of building and for tombs: it is similar to that of Petworth, and slightly resembles the marble of Kilkenny, but is less compact and of a more sombre cast. An inferior stone, also of the testaceous kind, is found in several adjoining parishes about the centre of the Weald, which is used for paving the causeways and horse tracks: it is besides employed in building, and is valuable where durability alone is required.* Sand-stone is dug here pretty generally, and much used; the best, perhaps, is found in the parish of Hawkhurst. Most of the religious edifices in this part of the county, are built with sand-stone, which though soft at first, soon becomes indurated by exposure. The Kentish rag-stone is also dug within the Weald. These must all become articles of importance in the event of a canal being carried through these parts.

PROJECTED IMPROVEMENT.-We must not close this general sketch without noticing the projected canal through the WEALD; an idea which originated with a few public spirited individuals in the year 1800; by whom a fund was raised for defraying the expences of a survey. Accordingly Mr. Alexan der Sutherland, then engaged in superintending the improvements of Rye harbour, was applied to, and by him a survey was made and a report thereon laid before the subscribers at a

This stone is wholly composed of marine shells and sand. From its component parts, there is reason to believe it would make an excellent cement and a valuable lime both for agricultural and building purposes, It is at least worth the trial,

general meeting held at Maidstone in July 1801. When it was resolved, "That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the navigations proposed are practicable, with great peculiar advantages to the counties of Kent and Sussex, and with general utility to the community at large." Previous to any remarks on Mr. Sutherland's report, or the resolution above quoted; it may be proper to state what was the nature of Mr. Sutherland's project, and the course he proposed.

The avowed object, was that of uniting the rivers MEDWAY and ROTHER, and the course suggested, as follows; the point of union with the Medway, was proposed a few rods above Twyford bridge, then crossing Yalding lees, to keep between the river Beult and Brand-bridges to Hunton clappers and Stile-bridge; and by Hersfield and Hockingbury bridges to Frittenden brook stream; from thence to Buckhurst-bridge and Hammer-mill pond; then continued to the turnpike road between Rogley-bridge and Forsten-green, where after crosing the road, a tunnel was proposed of the length of one thousand two hundred yards: from thence to pass through the valley between Park-gate and Halden-place, on to Ashbourne bridges, Lord's Gutt Penns, and the Otter channel, where the junction with the Rother was to be effected.

Such was the proposed direction of the main line, and however sanguine and positive Mr. Sutherland might at that time have been as to the practicability and advantages of his scheme, or however plausible it might have appeared to the committee; it is nevertheless certain that doubts did soon arise, both with regard to the accuracy of the survey and the propriety of applying for power to carry this project into execution: and these doubts were in no small degree confirmed by the melancholy death of Mr. Sutherland, on the eve of the adjourned meeting in the Easter week following.

As the line, recommended by Mr. Sutherland has long since been abandoned, it would be needless to point out the objec

tions to which it was liable, or the errors and imperfections with which his survey abounds.*

Some weeks prior to Mr. Sutherland's death, he had expressed a wish that the REPORT of some engineer of known repute might be had, before subscriptions were opened for executing the work, and accordingly Mr. Rennie was applied to for that purpose. It was proposed, the two engineers should meet at Maidstone on the 20th of April 1802 and go over the LINE together, but Mr. Sutherland excused himself on account of indisposition. On the 23d of the same month at the general meeting, the death of Mr. Sutherland was made known, when Mr. Rennie was directed "to survey the whole LINE, report upon it, and state any alterations and improvements that might suggest themselves to him." This he did, as appears by his REPORT dated September 4th in the same year.

Mr. Rennie viewing this rather as an agricultural than a mercantile concern, very properly suggested an extension to the Wye hills, for the more ready introduction of chalk and lime so absolutely necessary to the agriculture of the Weald; and also recommended the extension towards Lamberhurst as originally proposed by Mr. Sutherland, in order to increase the advantageous dispersion of these valuable articles, and at the same time, afford a more ready and less expensive con

* The errors of Mr. Sutherland arose from the want of sufficient practice in that department of his profession, which more especially requires the advantage of long experience and unwearied diligence. Yet while a regard to truth induces us to notice the professional imbecility of Mr. Sutherland in one instance, an equal respect to justice compels us to admit his just claims to applause in other respects. If we judge Mr. Sutherland by the REPORT which accompanied the unfortunate SURVEY alluded to, and without reference to the latter, we must acknowledge him to have been a man of no mean talents and acquirements: the perspecuity with which this professional paper is drawn up, the local knowledge and research it evinces, and the comparative elegance of its language, fully warrant the conclusion, that had he lived he must have become an ornament to his profession.