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not occur two centuries ago。
With the history of these great improvements is also mixed up the
story of human labour and genius； and of the patience and
perseverance displayed in carrying them out。 Probably one of the
best illustrations of character in connection with the development
of the inventions of the last century； is to be found in the life
of Thomas Telford； the greatest and most scientific road…maker of
his day； to which we proceed to direct the attention of the reader。
Footnotes for Chapter VI。
*＇1＇ 'Observations on Blindness and on the Employment of the other
Senses to supply the Loss of Sight。' By Mr。 Bew。'Memoirs of the
Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester；'
vol。i。； pp。 172…174。 Paper read 17th April； 1782。
*＇2＇ The pillar was erected by Squire Dashwood in 1751； the lantern
on its summit was regularly lighted till 1788； and occasionally till
1808；； when it was thrown down and never replaced。 The Earl of
Buckingham afterwards mounted a statue of George III。 on the top。
*＇3＇ Since the appearance of the first edition of this book； a
correspondent has informed us that there is another lighthouse
within 24 miles of London； not unlike that on Lincoln Heath。 It is
situated a little to the south…east of the Woking station of the
South…western Railway； and is popularly known as 〃Woking Monument。〃
It stands on the verge of Woking Heath； which is a continuation of
the vast tract of heath land which extends in one direction as far
as Bagshot。 The tradition among the inhabitants is； that one of the
kings of England was wont to hunt in the neighbourhood； when a fire
was lighted up in the beacon to guide him in case he should be
belated； but the probability is； that it was erected like that on
Lincoln Heath； for the guidance of ordinary wayfarers at night。
*＇4＇ 'Journal of the Agricultural Society of England； 1843。'
LIFE OF THOMAS TELFORD。
CHAPTER I。 ESKDALE。
＇Image＇ Valley of 〃the Unblameable Shepherd〃； Eskdale
Thomas Telford was born in one of the most Solitary nooks of the
narrow valley of the Esk； in the eastern part of the county of
Dumfries； in Scotland。 Eskdale runs north and south； its lower end
having been in former times the western march of the Scottish
border。 Near the entrance to the dale is a tall column erected on
Langholm Hill； some twelve miles to the north of the Gretna Green
station of the Caledonian Railway；which many travellers to and
from Scotland may have observed；a monument to the late Sir John
Malcolm； Governor of Bombay； one of the distinguished natives of
the district。 It looks far over the English border…lands； which
stretch away towards the south； and marks the entrance to the
mountainous parts of the dale； which lie to the north。 From that
point upwards the valley gradually contracts； the road winding
along the river's banks； in some places high above the stream；
which rushes swiftly over the rocky bed below。
A few miles upward from the lower end of Eskdale lies the little
capital of the district； the town of Langholm； and there； in the
market…place； stands another monument to the virtues of the Malcolm
family in the statue erected to the memory of Admiral Sir Pulteney
Malcolm； a distinguished naval officer。 Above Langholm； the country
becomes more hilly and moorland。 In many places only a narrow strip
of land by the river's side is left available for cultivation；
until at length the dale contracts so much that the hills descend
to the very road； and there are only to be seen their steep
heathery sides sloping up towards the sky on either hand； and a
narrow stream plashing and winding along the bottom of the valley
among the rocks at their feet。
＇Image＇ Telford's Native District
From this brief description of the character of Eskdale scenery；
it may readily be supposed that the district is very thinly peopled；
and that it never could have been capable of supporting a large
number of inhabitants。 Indeed； previous to the union of the crowns
of England and Scotland； the principal branch of industry that
existed in the Dale was of a lawless kind。 The people living on the
two sides of the border looked upon each other's cattle as their
own； provided only they had the strength to 〃lift〃 them。 They were；
in truth； even during the time of peace； a kind of outcasts；
against whom the united powers of England and Scotland were often
employed。 On the Scotch side of the Esk were the Johnstones and
Armstrongs； and on the English the Graemes of Netherby； both clans
being alike wild and lawless。 It was a popular border saying that
〃Elliots and Armstrongs ride thieves a'；〃 and an old historian says
of the Graemes that 〃they were all stark moss…troopers and arrant
thieves； to England as well as Scotland outlawed。〃 The neighbouring
chiefs were no better： Scott of Buccleugh； from whom the modern
Duke is descended； and Scott of Harden； the ancestor of the
novelist； being both renowned freebooters。
There stands at this day on the banks of the Esk； only a few miles
from the English border； the ruin of an old fortalice； called
Gilnockie Tower； in a situation which in point of natural beauty is
scarcely equalled even in Scotland。 It was the stronghold of a
chief popularly known in his day as Johnnie Armstrong。*＇1＇ He was a
mighty freebooter in the time of James V。； and the terror of his
name is said to have extended as far as Newcastle…upon…Tyne；
between which town and his castle on the Esk he was accustomed to
levy black…mail； or 〃protection and forbearance money；〃 as it was
called。 The King； however； determining to put down by the strong
hand the depredations of the march men； made a sudden expedition
along the borders； and Johnnie Armstrong having been so ill…advised
as to make his appearance with his followers at a place called
Carlenrig； in Etterick Forest； between Hawick and Langholm； James
ordered him to instant execution。 Had Johnnie Armstrong； like the
Scotts and Kers and Johnstones of like calling； been imprisoned
beforehand； he might possibly have lived to found a British
peerage； but as it was； the genius of the Armstrong dynasty was for
a time extinguished； only； however； to reappear； after the lapse
of a few centuries； in the person of the eminent engineer of
Newcastle…upon…Tyne； the inventor of the Armstrong gun。
The two centuries and a half which have elapsed since then have
indeed seen extraordinary changes。*＇2＇ The energy which the old
borderers threw into their feuds has not become extinct； but
survives under more benignant aspects； exhibiting itself in efforts
to enlighten； fertilize； and enrich the country which their
wasteful ardour before did so much to disturb and impoverish。
The heads of the Buccleugh and Elliot family now sit in the British
House of Lords。 The descendant of Scott of Harden has achieved a
world…wide reputation as a poet and novelist； and the late Sir
Jame