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he failed to see。 From Bath he went to London by coach； making the
journey in safety； 〃although；〃 he says； the collectors had been
doing duty on Hounslow Heath。〃 During his stay in London he
carefully examined the principal public buildings by the light of
the experience which he had gained since he last saw them。 He also
spent a good deal of his time in studying rare and expensive works
on architecturethe use of which he could not elsewhere procure
at the libraries of the Antiquarian Society and the British Museum。
There he perused the various editions of Vitruvius and Palladio；
as well as Wren's 'Parentalia。' He found a rich store of ancient
architectural remains in the British Museum； which he studied with
great care： antiquities from Athens； Baalbec； Palmyra； and
Herculaneum； 〃so that；〃 he says； 〃what with the information I was
before possessed of； and that which I have now accumulated； I think
I have obtained a tolerably good general notion of architecture。〃
From London he proceeded to Oxford； where he carefully inspected
its colleges and churches； afterwards expressing the great delight
and profit which he had derived from his visit。 He was entertained
while there by Mr。 Robertson； an eminent mathematician； then
superintending the publication of an edition of the works of
Archimedes。 The architectural designs of buildings that most
pleased him were those of Dr。 Aldrich； Dean of Christchurch about
the time of Sir Christopher Wren。 He tore himself from Oxford with
great regret； proceeding by Birmingham on his way home to
Shrewsbury： 〃Birmingham；〃 he says； 〃famous for its buttons and
locks； its ignorance and barbarismits prosperity increases with
the corruption of taste and morals。 Its nicknacks； hardware； and
gilt gimcracks are proofs of the former； and its locks and bars；
and the recent barbarous conduct of its populace；*＇2＇ are evidences
of the latter。〃 His principal object in visiting the place was to
call upon a stained glass…maker respecting a window for the new
church at Bridgenorth。
On his return to Shrewsbury； Telford proposed to proceed with his
favourite study of architecture； but this； said he； 〃will probably
be very slowly； as I must attend to my every day employment；〃
namely； the superintendence of the county road and bridge repairs；
and the direction of the convicts' labour。 〃If I keep my health；
however；〃 he added； 〃and have no unforeseen hindrance； it shall not
be forgotten； but will be creeping on by degrees。〃 An unforeseen
circumstance； though not a hindrance； did very shortly occur； which
launched Telford upon a new career； for which his unremitting
study； as well as his carefully improved experience； eminently
fitted him： we refer to his appointment as engineer to the
Ellesmere Canal Company。
The conscientious carefulness with which Telford performed the
duties entrusted to him； and the skill with which he directed the
works placed under his charge； had secured the general approbation
of the gentlemen of the county。 His straightforward and outspoken
manner had further obtained for him the friendship of many of them。
At the meetings of quarter…sessions his plans had often to encounter
considerable opposition； and； when called upon to defend them； he
did so with such firmness； persuasiveness； and good temper； that he
usually carried his point。 〃Some of the magistrates are ignorant；〃
he wrote in 1789； 〃and some are obstinate： though I must say that
on the whole there is a very respectable bench； and with the
sensible part I believe I am on good terms。〃 This was amply proved
some four years later； when it became necessary to appoint an
engineer to the Ellesmere Canal； on which occasion the magistrates；
who were mainly the promoters of the undertaking； almost
unanimously solicited their Surveyor to accept the office。
Indeed； Telford had become a general favourite in the county。
He was cheerful and cordial in his manner； though somewhat brusque。
Though now thirty…five years old； he had not lost the humorousness
which had procured for him the sobriquet of 〃Laughing Tam。〃
He laughed at his own jokes as well as at others。 He was spoken of
as jollya word then much more rarely as well as more choicely used
than it is now。 Yet he had a manly spirit； and was very jealous of
his independence。 All this made him none the less liked by
free…minded men。 Speaking of the friendly support which he had
throughout received from Mr。 Pulteney； he said； 〃His good opinion
has always been a great satisfaction to me； and the more so； as it
has neither been obtained nor preserved by deceit； cringing； nor
flattery。 On the contrary； I believe I am almost the only man that
speaks out fairly to him； and who contradicts him the most。
In fact； between us； we sometimes quarrel like tinkers； but I hold
my ground； and when he sees I am right he quietly gives in。〃
Although Mr。 Pulteney's influence had no doubt assisted Telford in
obtaining the appointment of surveyor； it had nothing to do with
the unsolicited invitation which now emanated from the county
gentlemen。 Telford was not even a candidate for the engineership；
and had not dreamt of offering himself； so that the proposal came
upon him entirely by surprise。 Though he admitted he had
self…confidence； he frankly confessed that he had not a sufficient
amount of it to justify him in aspiring to the office of engineer
to one of the most important undertakings of the day。 The following
is his own account of the circumstance：
〃My literary project*＇3＇ is at present at a stand； and may be
retarded for some time to come； as I was last Monday appointed sole
agent； architect； and engineer to the canal which is projected to
join the Mersey； the Dee； and the Severn。 It is the greatest work；
I believe； now in hand in this kingdom； and will not be completed
for many years to come。 You will be surprised that I have not
mentioned this to you before； but the fact is that I had no idea of
any such appointment until an application was made to me by some of
the leading gentlemen； and I was appointed； though many others had
made much interest for the place。 This will be a great and
laborious undertaking； but the line which it opens is vast and
noble； and coming as the appointment does in this honourable way；
I thought it too great a opportunity to be neglected； especially as I
have stipulated for； and been allowed； the privilege of carrying on
my architectural profession。 The work will require great labour
and exertions； but it is worthy of them all。〃*＇4＇ Telford's
appointment was duly confirmed by the next general meeting of the
shareholders of the Ellesmere Canal。 An attempt was made to get up
a party against him； but it failed。 〃I am fortunate；〃 he said； 〃in
being on good terms with most of the leading men； both of property
and abilities； and on this occasion I had the decided support of
the great John Wilkinson； king of the ironmasters； him