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CHAP. XIV.



OF PERPENDICULAR LIFTS TO PASS BOATS





	Although I have already explained the mode of passing the boats, which I conceive, will be productive of systematic navigation, and ought to be universally adopted till a better is discovered, yet the four following Plates will exhibit machines for transferring the boat by perpendicular life. These machines were original intended for small canals, as lateral cuts to those of greater dimensions, in order to extend into such districts as could produce from fifty to four hundred tons per day; principally to convey manure and fuel, and thereby relieve the country by a medium carriage, between the large canals and cartage.



	This, for a long time, was the extent of my thoughts; the idea of an universal system did not arise, till I discovered the great saving which would be produced  by such lateral cuts. I then wished to render the canal equal to a trade of more than four hundred-tons per day, and capable of performing the work of a large canal , in which, there was nothing wanting but improvement in the machinery to produce expedition, but this baffled every experiment for some months. At length the rotary movement, and boats with wheels, occurred, and they exhibited the power of passing valleys. On revolving the thought, I found it would answer the purpose, by performing the most important trade, producing system, and simplifying the machinery: it has consequently raised small canals (in my opinion) from lateral cuts, to the most extensive and important communications.