In describing the sea coast of Lancashire, we shall be gin at its southern extremity. The Mersey empties itself into a great estuary filled with banks, and crossed by a bar, over which, at low tide, there is but a foot or two depth of water ; but the tides rise very high, from 21 to 28 feet. The coast here is very flat, and in some places the sea is encroaching on it, particularly between the Ribble and Morecombe Bay. In the estuary of the Ribble there are many sand banks, dry at low water, but on which the tide rises six fathoms. 1\Iorecombe Bay is a large gulf, be tween the mainland of Lancashire and the peninsula of Fulness. Off the extremity of this peninsula are several islands, the principal of which is called Walney ; which is ten miles long and one broad. It is so low that it is fre quently nearly inundated. It would appear that these islands were formerly in one, and probably connected with the main land.
In our description of the rivers and coast of this coun ty, it will be seen that the former generally empty them selves into the sea, with very broad and shallow mouths, filled with sand banks. This is caused by their taking their rise in the mountainous districts in the east county—the constant rapidity of their streams—and the shortness of their course. The sands of Lancashire most noted, are those of Lancaster and Leven. By an inspection of the map of the county, it will appear that the shortest route to the Furness district is across these sands ; hence, though this route is extremely dangerous, it is frequently pursued. At three miles from Lancaster the Lancaster salads commence. They are fordable at low water for a distance of about nine miles. The Leven sands lie between Cartmel and !Jiver ton. At spring tides the water sometimes rises 15 feet over them.
In the north of Lancashire are several lakes. Coniston lake, or Thurston water, is about seven miles long, from north to south; but its greatest breadth is not more than three quarters of a mile from east to west. Its greatest depth of water is forty fathoms. There are several small bays on its shores, which are lined with coppice woods, small farms, and rocks. The scenery of this lake is much prais ed by Mrs. Radcliffe. It abounds in fish ; and the char found in it is much esteemed for its flavour. Esthwaite wa ter is about two miles in length, and half a mile broad. It is nearly divided by two peninsulas, one of which projects from each shore. The scenery of this lake is rather mild and pleasing, than bold, romantic, or picturesque. For merly there was in it a floating island ; but latterly it has become stationary. There are several varieties of fish in it ; but it is remarkable, that though it is connected with Windermere, no char is found in it. The lake of 1Vinder
mere may be regarded as belonging partly to Lancashire and partly to Westmoreland, as it divides the district of Furness from the latter county. It is fifteen miles long, with an average breadth of one mile ; but, in some parts, its breadth does not exceed 500 yards. Its greatest depth is about 201 feet. It is famous for its char.
No county in England abounds more in canals than Lan cashire. The first complete artificial navigation was form ed in it. This is called the Sankey Canal, and forms a navigable communication between the Mersey and the coal and copper works near St. Helen's. Its length, from the place where it separates into three branches, is 91 miles. The whole distance from the Mersey is 1 13 miles. There arc eight single and two double locks upon it, with 60 feet fall. The chief article carried upon it is coal. Besides this canal, Lancashire is intersected by parts of nine others, four of which communicate with Manchester. The Ashton-un der-line runs from that town to Manchester. Its length is I I miles, with a rise of 152 feet. Near Duckenfield-lodge it unites with the Peak-forest canal ; and at Fairfield, a branch goes off towards Oldham. One part of the Duke of Bridgewatet's canal runs from Manchester to \Vorsley, a distance of nine miles. At \Vorsley it is carried under ground to the collieries. Near this place, a cut branches off to Chat Moss. Another portion of the Duke of Bridge water's canal runs front Manchester to Runcorn, in Che shire. The Manchester, Bury, and Bolton canal, commen ces at the Mersey and Irwell navigation, near Manchester, and terminates at the town of Bolton. At Bury is a branch four miles long, which joins the Haslingdean canal. The Rochdale canal connects the Bridgewater canal, at Man chester, with the Calder navigation, near Halifax. The Douglas river navigation commences at the estuary of the Ribble, and terminates in the Leeds and Liverpool canal, at Brier's Mill. The whole rise from the Ribble is 49 feet. The Leeds and Li verpool canal begins in the Mersey, at the lower part of Liverpool. It passes by Ormskirk, crosses the river Douglas, and afterwards the Lancaster canal, near Houghton Tower. The Lancaster canal runs upwards of 75 miles, through nearly the whole county of Lancashire, and part of Westmoreland. It begins at West Houghton, and thence proceeds to Wigan, Preston, Garstang, and Lan caster. Here it is carried over the river Seine by an aque duct of five arches. It passes out of Lancashire near Bur. ton. The great object of this canal, one of the most im portant in the kingdom, is to open a communication be tween the coal and limestone counties; the county north of Preston being destitute of coal, but abounding in lime.