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lofty enough for a man of my stature to pass through with his hat
on。 It had a very singular effect to see persons emerging from this
dark； long； narrow vault。 Sometimes a brook is taken in； a cesspool
is then made to receive what gravel it may bring down after it has
passed this pool； the water flowing through three or four little
arches； and then over a paved bed and wall of masonry into the canal。
These are called in…takes； and opposite them an outlet is sometimes
made for the waters of； the canal； if they should be above their
proper level； or when the cross…stream may bring down a rush。
These outlets consist of two inclined planes of masonry； one rising
from the canal with a pavement or waste weir between them； and when
the cross…stream comes down like a torrent； instead of mingling
with the canal； it passes straight across。 But these channels
would be insufficient for carrying off the whole surplus waters in
time of floods。 At one place； therefore； there are three sluices
by which the whole canal from the Staircase to the Regulating Lock
（about six miles） can be lowered a foot in an hour。 The sluices
were opened that we might see their effect。 We went down the Bank；
and made our way round some wet ground till we got in front of the
strong arch into which they open。 The arch is about 25 feet high；
of great strength； and built upon the rock。 What would the
Bourbons have given for such a cascade at Versailles？ The rush and
the spray； and the force of the water； reminded me more of the
Reichenbach than of any other fall。 That three small sluices； each
only 4 feet by 3 feet； should produce an effect which brought the
mightiest of the swiss waterfalls to my recollection； may appear
incredible； or at least like an enormous exaggeration。 But the
prodigious velocity with which the water is forced out； by the
pressure above； explains the apparent wonder。 And yet I beheld it
only in half its strength； the depth above being at this time ten
feet； which will be twenty when the canal is completed。 In a few
minutes a river was formed of no inconsiderable breadth； which ran
like a torrent into the Lochy。
〃On this part of the canal everything is completed； except that the
iron bridges for it； which are now on their way； are supplied by
temporary ones。 When the middle part shall be finished； the Lochy；
which at present flows in its own channel above the Regulating Lock；
will be dammed there； and made to join the Speyne by a new cut from
the lake。 The cut is made； and a fine bridge built over it。
We went into the cut and under the bridge； which is very near the
intended point of junction。 The string…courses were encrusted with
stalactites in a manner singularly beautiful。 Under the arches a
strong mound of solid masonry is built to keep the water in dry
seasons at a certain height； But in that mound a gap is left for
the salmon； and a way made through the rocks from the Speyne to
this gap； which they will soon find out。〃
Arrived at Dumbarton； Southey took leave of John Mitchell； who had
accompanied him throughout the tour； and for whom he seems to have
entertained the highest admiration：
〃He is indeed；〃 says Southey； 〃a remarkable man； and well deserving
to be remembered。 Mr。 Telford found him a working mason； who could
scarcely read or write。 But his good sense； his excellent conduct；
his steadiness and perseverance have been such； that he has been
gradually raised to be Inspector of all these Highland roads which
we have visited； and all of which are under the Commissioners' care
an office requiring a rare union of qualities； among others
inflexible integrity； a fearless temper； and an indefatigable
frame。 Perhaps no man ever possessed these requisites in greater
perfection than John Mitchell。 Were but his figure less Tartarish
and more gaunt； he would be the very 'Talus' of Spenser。 Neither
frown nor favour； in the course of fifteen years； have ever made
him swerve from the fair performance of his duty； though the lairds
with whom he has to deal have omitted no means of making him enter
into their views； and to do things or leave them undone； as might
suit their humour or interest。 They have attempted to cajole and to
intimidate him alike in vain。 They have repeatedly preferred
complaints against him in the hope of getting him removed from his
office； and a more flexible person appointed in his stead； and they
have not unfrequently threatened him with personal violence。
Even his life has been menaced。 But Mitchell holds right on。
In the midst of his most laborious life； he has laboured to improve
himself with such success； that he has become a good accountant；
makes his estimates with facility； and carries on his official
correspondence in an able and highly intelligent manner。 In the
execution of his office he travelled last year not less than 8800
miles； and every year he travels nearly as much。 Nor has this life；
and the exposure to all winds and weathers； and the temptations
either of company or of solicitude at the houses at which he puts
up； led him into any irregularities。 Neither has his elevation in
the slightest degree inflated him。 He is still the same temperate；
industrious； modest； unassuming man； as when his good qualities
first attracted Mr。 Telford's notice。〃
Southey concludes his journal at Longtown； a little town just
across the Scotch Border； in the following words：
〃Here we left Mr。 Telford； who takes the mail for Edinburgh。
This parting company； after the thorough intimacy which a long
journey produces between fellow…travellers who like each other； is
a melancholy thing。 A man more heartily to be liked； more worthy to
be esteemed and admired； I have never fallen in with； and therefore
it is painful to think how little likely it is that I shall ever
see much of him again；how certain that I shall never see so much。
Yet I trust that he will not forget his promise of one day making
Keswick in his way to and from Scotland。〃
Before leaving the subject of Telford's public works in the
Highlands； it may be mentioned that 875 miles of new roads were
planned by him； and executed under his superintendence； at an
expense of 454；189L。； of which about one…half was granted by
Parliament； and the remainder was raised by the localities
benefited。 Besides the new roads； 255 miles of the old military
roads were taken in charge by him； and in many cases reconstructed
and greatly improved。 The bridges erected in connexion with these
roads were no fewer than twelve hundred。 Telford also between the
year 1823 and the close of his life； built forty…two Highland
churches in districts formerly unprovided with them； and capable of
accommodating some 22；000 persons。
Down to the year 1854； the Parliamentary grant of 5000L。 a year
charged upon the Consolidated Fund to meet assessments and tolls of
the Highland roads； amounting to about 7500L。 a year； was
transferred t