STORY OF THE LIFE OF GEORGE STEPHENSON: A NEW EDITION THOROUGHLY REVISED, INCLUDING A MEMOIR OF ROBERT STEPHENSON. With Illustrations. Post 8vo. 68.

INDUSTRIAL BIOGRAPHY: IRON-WORKERS AND TOOL-MAKERS. Post 8vo. 68.

SELF-HELP; WITH ILLUSTRATIONS OF CHARACTER AND CONDUCT. Post 8vo. 68.

LIVES OF THE ENGINEERS; comprising a HISTORY OF INLAND COMMUNICATION IN BRITAIN.

First Series. 2 vols. 8vo. 42s. With Portraits and 200 Woodcuts.

Vol. I. SIR CORNELIUS VERMUYDEN-SIR HUGH MYDDELTON-JAMES BRINDLEY.

Vol. II. JOHN SMEATON-JOHN RENNIE-THOMAS TELFORD.

Second Series. 1 vol. 8vo. 21s. With Portraits and 70 Woodcuts.

Vol. III. GEORGE AND ROBERT STEPHENSON.

WORKMEN'S EARNINGS, SAVINGS,—AND STRIKES; reprinted from the Quarterly Review.' Post 8vo. 18. 61.

• LONDON FRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,

AND CHARING CROSS.

PREFACE.

THE present book is for the most part a reproduction, in a cheaper and more compact form, of the Life of James Brindley originally published in the 'Lives of the Engineers.' It is offered to the public as a companion volume to the Story of the Life of George Stephenson,'-the characters and achievements of the two men being in many respects alike, the one having accomplished for Canals in England what the other did for Railways.

The volume also includes memoirs of the earlier engineers, more particularly Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, Sir Hugh Myddelton, and Captain Perry; whose works of drainage, water supply, and embankment, were amongst the wonders of their time.

The memoir of Pierre-Paul Riquet-by some styled “The French Brindley"—constructor of the Grand Canal of Languedoc, is appended, as prepared for the French edition of 'Self-Help.'

LONDON, October, 1864.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.

-

Labour and skill have made modern England - Early settlement of

Britain - Early works of embankment and draining — Reclamation

of Romney Marsh - Early embankments of the Thames - Great Level

of the Fens-Laws for preserving the reclaimed lands - Destructive

floods - James I. encourages drainage works — Cornelius Vermuyden,

the Dutch engineer, employed by king James - England's dependence

upon foreigners in former times-England's progress in engineering

and manufacturing skill
Page 1-18

CHAPTER II.

SIR CORNELIUS VERMUYDEN-DRAINAGE OF THE FENS.

Vermuyden's embankment and drainage works at Dagenham and Windsor
- The Isle of Axholme - Reclamation of Hatfield Chase-The

works carried out by foreign capital and foreign labour-Opposition

of the native population — The embankments broken by the Parlia-

mentarians-Vermuyden undertakes the drainage of the Great Fen

Level-Francis Earl of Bedford becomes chief undertaker - Oppo-

sition of the Fen-men and of the town population-Satirical songs

and ballads against the Fen-drainers-"The Powte's Complaint”.

Oliver Cromwell heads an agitation against the Fen-drainers - The

Fen-men destroy the works and property at Lindsey Level and other

Fen districts-Vermuyden's "discourse on the drainage of the Fens,

1649 - Works completed, 1652 - Public thanksgiving - Vermuyden's

labours, personal sacrifices, and death - Progressive improvements in

the Fen district - Salubrity of the Fens

19-47

CHAPTER III.

SIR HUGH MYDDELTON

- CUTTING OF THE NEW RIVER.

Old London, its water supply by streams and conduits-Defective

supply in London and in other towns- Water-works at Hull and

Tiverton - Plymouth leet constructed by Sir Francis Drake-The

Myddelton family- Hugh entered an apprentice Goldsmith ---- London

in the 16th century -- Myddelton as Goldsmith, Merchant Adven-

turer and Cloth-maker- His marriage — Is first alderman of Denbigh

-Appointed afterwards recorder and M.P.-Appointed a member of

committees on water supply of London - Difficulty in finding an

engineer - Myddelton undertakes the work - The New River -

Hostility of owners of property-King James assists Myddelton in

the completion of the work-Public ceremony on the opening of

the New River - Benefits of the increased water supply-The water

carriers Formation of the New River Company

48-82

CHAPTER IV.

SIR HUGH MYDDELTON (continued) — HIS OTHER ENGINEERING

AND MINING WORKS HIS DEATH.

Brading Haven -— Its reclamation undertaken by Myddelton — Myddel-

ton arranges with King James-Takes out patent for draining land

-Sir John Oglander's account of the circumstances connected with

the reclamation - Failure of the works-Hugh and Thomas Myd-

delton as Members of Parliament - Hugh's connection with Wales -

Mines Royal Company of Cardiganshire — Their mines unsuccessfully

worked - Myddelton farms the mines-Is made a baronet by King

James - The king confirms the lease of the mines and waives claim

to royalty - Myddelton's mining works - Their valuable produce -

Myddelton's residence at Lodge Park-Invited to execute reclama-

tion works at Gwydir - Letter to Sir John Wynn - Sir Hugh's death

- His will-His character
83-102

CHAPTER V.

CAPTAIN PERRY- STOPPAGE OF DAGENHAM BREACH.

Breaches in the Thames embankments between London and Greenwich
-between Plumstead and Erith - Inundations on the north shore -