In the month of June 1804, the Commissioners re solved that Mr Jessop should again visit the line of the intended navigation in concert with Mr Telford, that they might jointly inspect the progress of the works already commenced, and re-examine all the particulars of the former survey; that they might de term= the position of each lock on the whole line of the canal, and, as far as possible, fix the situation, dimensions, and construction of the bridges, cul verts, and other necessary works ; and that they might take fno cpusideration the manner in which it would be most convenient to connect the the canal with the several lochs or lakes forming part of the intended navigation ; and also fix and arrange the price of labour, and the mode in which the se. venal works would be most advantageously let or contracted for.
During the first year (1808), the operations were merely of a preparatory nature, and the number of 'workmen dill net exceed 150. But in the year fol. lowing they were increased to upwards of 900, what it became necessary to appoint resident Engineers, particularly at the extremities of the line, to which the first works were entirely confined. For this high. ly important charge, Mr Matthew Davidson, who hul acquired much experience at the works upon the Elsemere Canal, particularly at the great aqueduct of Pontycycelte in Denbighshire, was appointed to the eastern division, and Mr John Telford took charge at the western end.
In the commencement of operations of this pub lic nature, it became an important consideration to interfere as little as possible with the rates of the stated labour of the country ; and therefore, as welt as from motives of economy, only about one-sixth part of the work was done by day-labour, the other parts being done by contract and measurement. The rates for day-labour and workmanship, as fixed by Messrs Jessop and Telford in L804, we shall state, more as a matter of future, than of present interest. Labourers by the day, were paid from ls. 6d. to ls.
• 6d. and 28., according to the description of work. The works of excavation and embankment varied accord ing to the distance of removal. That for the earthen work of coffer-dams of the eastern division was 9d. .per cubic yard, exclusively of pumping water, work. mg the puddle in the banks, or expence of rail. ways. The rate or price of iron-work to be 51d. per lib., when the price of Swedish iron is at L. 30 per ton at Inverness. Timber work in coffer-dams, sad sheeting to locks, 6d. per cubic foot for labour only. Ruble masonry, laid in lime mortar, at lls. per cu. bic yard, cut stone or squared masonry at ix yd.
per cubic foot, exclusively of posaolano or tams, where necessary. In common earth cutting, in cluding puddling and forming the banks, the price throughout the whole works was not to exceed the average rate of 6d. per cubic yard ; excepting in cases where the removal of the puddle should exceed 100 yards, when an extra allowance was to be made by the award of Mr Thomas Telford. Also, wherever the removal of earth by barrow ex ceed; 60 lineal yards, or 120 yards by barrow-carts, an allowance to be made over and above these prices, at the rate of d. per cubic yard for every run of 20 yards by barrow, or 40 yards by barrow carts. The same rate of prices is applicable to the works of the western division of the canal, only in such instances as the circumstances differ materially. Part of the excavation at the western end is in rock, which is to be paid for at the rate of 2s. per cubic yard, and the excavation and embankment at 8d.per cubic yard. The most considerable difference here was in the price of cut stone, or squared masonry. At the eastern division, the quarry of Redande is only about five or six miles from the work; whije at 'the 'Western &vision, the cut stones for hollow quoins, coping stones, &c. were brought from the Cumbrae Island in the Clyde, distant, even by the Crinan Canal, upwards of WO miles ; the price of cut stone work was consequently fixed at 2s. 5d. pis. cubic foot, instead of is. 7d. ; or if granite from Ifiallahulish, distant about twenty miles, should be used, the price to be at the rate of 2s. per cubic foot. But even these prices were, upon due investi gation, found to be insufficient, and the contractors were afterwards allowed at the rate of 3d. per cubic foot in addition for cut stone, and Is. per cubic yard for ruble work.
These highly important arrangements being made, the masonry, and much of the work of excavation and embankment, were undertaken by contract, and proceeded with great alacrity. Men skilled in the various branches of canal work resorted to the Ca ledonian Canal, from all parts of the united king dom ; and no less than about one thousand men have been employed on an average for the year ; so that this tract of country, lately a forlorn waste, became all at once a place of active industry. The Highlander, hitherto accustomed to loiter away his days in indolence, looked on for a time with astonishment at the exertions of his southern bre thren, and ere long mixed with this busy scene. In this respect, the Caledonian Canal has been of immense advantage to the Highlanders, a fact which the writer of this article has had many opportunities to observe.