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SCOTS MAGAZINE,

AND

Edinburgh Literary Miscellany,

FOR MAY 1806:

With a View of the Harbour of ARDROSSAN, and Canal from thence to Glasgow.

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Mr Hume concerning Cause and Effect,

6. Short Criticism on the Terms of

the Charge against Mr Leslie,.

and Canal from thence to Glasgow, 323 7. Letter to the Author of the ExaPresent State of Agriculture in Ayr

shire, . .

mination of Mr Stewart's State

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Celestial Phenomena for June, Memoirs of the Progress of Manufactures, Chemistry, Science, and the Fine Arts,

328

329

Journal of the Eruption of Mount Vesuvius, from the 11th August, to the 18th September, 1805, On Mendicity, and its Remedies; with Strictures on the different Modes of providing for the Poor, 332 Journal of a Tour over Land from

335

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New Works published in Edinburgh, 365
Scottish Literary Intelligence,
Literary Intelligence, English and
Foreign,

POETRY.

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ib.

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Manners of the Higher and Lower Orders in Scotland, in the year

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367 368

ib.

India in 1785, • •

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Defence of Doubts on Cæsar,

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Query respecting a Mode of Improving the Pear Tree,

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1749, Some Particulars respecting the late James Candlish, M. A. & F. R. S. of the University of Edinburgh, A Short Account of the Behaviour of the Rebel Army at Hamilton in 1745, in a letter to a Friend, Criticism on Leyden's Scenes of Infancy; with etymological Remarks,

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343

-The Message of the Emperor and

-America, .

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388

389

347

ib.

Scottish Chronicle,

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349

Circuit Intelligence.

ib.

Opening of the New Wet Dock at

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Leith,

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Prices of Grain per quarter Corn Ex

change, London,

Prices of Grain at Haddington,

Prices of Meal in Edinburgh Market, ib.

State

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THE

Scots Magazine,

AND

EDINBURGH LITERARY MISCELLANY,

FOR MAY 1806.

Account of the Harbour of ARDROSSAN, and Canal from thence to GLASGOW.

THESE two great works, the first of which is already begun, will be attended with most important advantages to the commercial interests of Scotland. The counties of Lanark, Renfrew, and Ayr, appear, by the population returns, to contain upwards of 300,000 inhabitants, who are actively employed in various. branches of manufacturing industry. This district is full of coal, of which Ireland is in want: on the other hand, it requires grain, of which Ireland can afford the most abundant supply. The manufacture of this district is cotton; of Ireland, it is linen: of other parts of Great Britain, wool hardware, pottery, &c. The greatest advantage must arise from the interchange of these various commodities. In short, Ardrossan stands to Glasgow in the same situation that Liverpool does to Manchester: the present canal will correspond with the celebrated one of the Duke of Bridgewater; and Ardrossan will probably become the rival of Liverpool.

The bay of Ardrossan, at the southern extremity of which the harbour and docks are to be formed, is already rendered by nature a complete harbour for all the purposes of safety. It is free from danger; it may be entered at all times of the

tide with perfect certainty as well as safety. At its entrance there is a depth of six fathoms at low water ; and within it, a depth of from five to three fathoms at low water is found for more than one half of its extent; with good anchorage, wherein the largest frigates, as well as merchantmen, may ride in safety. On the line of the canal is one of the most remarkable seams of coal in the whole world, being from 70 to 90 feet in thickness. There is also abundance of iron stone, and limestone. The working of the former, in particular, which is yet in its infancy, promises to prove a very important branch of trade.

The expence of the harbour is estimated at 40,000l.; and as the revenues of the port of Aberdeen, (which is neither so good as that of Ardrossan will be, nor situated in so fertile and populous a country) amount to 27ool. Mr Telford conceives himself entitled to estimate the revenues of the latter at 5000l. which, deducting 1ocol. for annual expences, will still leave to per cent. on the original sum of 40,000l.

The canal begins at the suburb of Glasgow called Tradestoun, 38 feet above high water mark. It proceeds for 10 miles on the same level, and

in this course passes through the opulent manufacturing town of Paisley, and reaches Johnstone, which is also a very populous and thriving village. At Johnstone, a chain of locks extends for a mile, which raises it 64 feet higher; in all 102 feet from the river Clyde. This is the summit level, which proceeds 18 miles, and terminates opposite Saltcoats. From this point, another chain of locks, extending 1 miles, brings it down to connect with an extensive wet dock in the harbour of Ardrossan. The fall here is 104 feet 6 inches.

The purchase of land will amount to 12,800l. Two only of the proprietors have started any difficulties. The Earl of Glasgow is afraid, as the line will pass very near his house, that it will injure the appearance of his grounds. It is hoped, however, that his Lordship will not, on this account, make any serious opposition to a measure so conducive to his own interest, as well as that of the country. Besides, as the canal will be on the opposite side of the river to his house at Hawkhead, it may probably be so managed as to prove rather ornamental; as is the case with the Grand Junction canal, in its passage through the old and finely ornamented grounds of the Earl of Essex and Lord Clarendon.

him from working that part of his coal which lies near the line of the canal.

These risks may be prevented by going farther to the north, where, however, a piece of deep cutting is to be encountered. This will cost 7,252 1. additional.

The line between Glasgow and Paisley may be carried in two directions; one northerly, by Craigton, Hillington, and Auchentorley; the other farther south, by the Dumbreck colliery, and the iron stone quarry. The latter will cost 56501. more, but it will have the advantage of passing through the collieries, and of being more convenient for making a branch to Hurlet.

Estimate of Expence.

This, on the highest calculation, will amount to 125,901 1. But, by adopting the northern line between Glasgow and Paisley, and by cutting through Mr R. C.'s property, there would be a saving of 12,902 1. which would reduce it to 112,999 1.

A branch might be conveniently made to the Hurlet iron works, extending only a mile and three quarters. But as two aqueducts (over the Cart and Laveron,) and also a lockage of 37 feet would be requi site, it would cost 10,605 l.; so that an iron rail-way might perhaps be better, and could be executed for 5,540 1.

Mr Reid Cunningham states, that, from the situation of his coal mines, there is a risk of the water sinking into them; also that it may prevent Estimate of Revenue,—between Johnstone and four miles above Tradestoun.

Another branch, 3 miles in length, might be carried from Tradestoun to the Clyde iron-works. It would cost 10,589 1.

Tons.

20,000 of coals, iron-stone, pig-iron, timber, carried ten miles,

on an average at 2d.

per

mile.

20,000 ditto carried five miles at 2d.

10,000 grain, groceries, &c. carried 10 miles at 3d.

Passage boats,

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Between Johnstone and Ardrossan Bay. 40,000 Of coals for exportation carried 10 miles, at 2d.

L.1666 13

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Carry forward, L.8583 56

Tons.

Brought forward, L.8583 5 6

15,000 of coals carried along the canal towards Paisley, and for burning lime, making iron, and for manufacturing and domestic purposes, ten miles, at 2d. 20,000 Lime stone, timber, iron-stone, pig-iron, carried ten

miles, at 2d.

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20,000 Grain carried from Ireland and Ayrshire, to Renfrewshire and Glasgow; groceries, shop goods, for the country through which the canal passes; raw materials and webs, to and from the weavers and manufacturers, along the line, 12 miles, at 3d. A loaded boat will go and return once in a week. Suppose four small boats to be constantly employed, each carrying 20 tons, taking 36 miles as the average distance, making 60 miles each passage, and the time at 45 weeks, at 3d.

Passage boat between Johnstone and Saltcoats,

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1250

1666 13 0

3000

2700

500

L.17,699 18 6

THE

Present State of Agriculture in AYRSHIRE..

(Concluded from p. 270.)

E extirpation of weeds is a great desideratum in the agriculture of Ayrshire, as a large part of that county is now most shockingly infested by them. It is hoped that, by adopting some such plans as have been recommended, the weeds may be subdued, and the land become as clean as it is in the best cultivated districts.

Flax, or lint, has begun to be cultivated to a considerable extent in Ayrshire; and as they have contrived to spin and weave it by the power of water, I do not see why the linen should not keep pace with the cotton manufacture. Flax forms an

excellent crop for sown grass, and may be substituted in place of barley for that purpose.

The cultivation of moss, in Mr Smith of Swinridgemoor's method, has been carried to a great extent in

4,000 O O

L.13,699 18 6

Ayrshire; and some of the best oats, potatoes, barley, and sown grass, any where saw, were upon moss.— But the general practice is to crop it until it gets very foul, and then leave it to gather grass of itself. It would be better to clean the land complete. ly, by potatoes, yams, or other drilled crop, and then sow it down with barley and grass seeds.

Draining is much wanted in various parts of Ayrshire, though some spirited gentlemen have lately drained their land in a very effectual manner. This would improve the climate as well as the soil; for the evaporation of moisture generates cold; and the evaporation, when converted into hoar-frost in the air, sinks down into the hollows, and communicates blight to the crops which grow in them. I conceive that draining should be made a subject of public regulation,

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