other merchandise. In
1836 it was computed that about 30,000 quarters of wheat, and 3,000 packs
of wool, passed through the canal annually; and in 1850 the profits of
the traffic amounted to about 2,000 pounds a year.

Consequent on the opening of the railway in August, 1855, the canal, as a
means of goods conveyance, gradually became disused, until, of late
years, it has become worse than a mere derelict, since it forms an
obstruction to the free passage of the water brought down by the two
rivers, and after heavy rain it has led to temporary inundations of the
town, to the great inconvenience of those residing near it, as well as
interfering, as might in some circumstances be serious, with the sanitary
arrangements.

A few years ago an attempt was made to restore the canal traffic, but the
railway monopoly had become too thoroughly established, and the project
failed; yet the competition, could it have been maintained, might have
had a salutary effect upon the cost of railway conveyance, to the
advantage of the general public.

Our canals, it should be remembered, are a time-honoured institution; the
Lincolnshire Cardyke and Fossdyke date from the period of the Roman
occupation of this country. The Magna Charta of the early 13th century
took cognizance, not only of the roads, called "The King's Highway," but
also of inland navigation, under the term "Haut streames de le Roy." The
latter half of the 18th century was remarkable for great achievements as
regards internal waterways, notably in the Bridgewater Canal, and the
Grand Junction Canal of London; and to this period, as we have seen, the
Horncastle Canal belongs.

In this twentieth century, again, notwithstanding the great railway
facilities, there is a wide-spread movement in favour of extended water
traffic, headed by the very successful Suez Canal; with a prospect of the
sister channel of Panama. Berlin is said to owe its prosperity largely
to its well-organized system, connecting the rivers Oder, Elbe, Spree,
&c., which have an annual traffic of some million and half tons. Our own
Manchester Ship Canal is another instance; the most recent case being
fresh developments of the Aire and Calder Navigation, in South Yorkshire.
The canals, too, which have been recently constructed in India, are
yielding, by the latest reports, {128} a handsome revenue to the
Government, as well as greatly benefiting the native population.

It is acknowledged that a more ge