The National Register.
London, England, 1820-08-06 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE REGENTS CANAL.

Tuesday being the day appointed for the formal open.
Ing of the new branch of the Regent's Canal. the ma-
naging committee, with the chairman, Mr. Morgan, the
head engineer, Mr. Nash, the head surveyor, together
with the principal proprietors, and a number of other
persons of rank and respectability connected with the
undertaking, assembled near Maiden-lane about eleven
o'clock, and took water at that part of the canal which is
contiguous. The committee etnbarked on board one of
the city state barges, which had been borrowed for the
occasion, and they were accompanied by several other
barges, having on board bands of music, and decorated
wilt flags and streamers in profusion. The day being
favourable, the crowds assembled to witness theceremony
were immense, particularly at the grand basin in the
City-road. The procession went under the great tunnel
through Islington, where the hands of music played se-
veral national airs, and the effect produced by the rever-
beration of the sound was grand beyond description.—
The party then proceeded to the grand basin in the City
road, where a salute was fired, and they were hailed
with the loudest acclamations. from the numerous crowds
stationed on the shore. After having gone round the
basin, the party proceeded down the Canal to Lime-
house, and 111 their course met with the same reception
from the well-dressed persons who lined the sides of the
canal the whole distance. At Limehonse the party
stopped, and partook of a magnificent dinner. Soon
after the opening procession had gone through the locks
there was a great competition ainotigu several of the
Paddington barges for the honour of being the first to
land produce on the wharf at the grand basin. A des-
perate struggle ensued between two of them, but after a
well-contested race, the honour was won by a barge, the
stance of which we believe was " The William," from
which was landed the first produce, and a cask of ale,
which was immediately drank up on the spot by the
navigators, with loud huzgas to the prosperity of the un-
dertaking. Numerous barges loaded with respectable
passengers, principally consisting of well•dressed fe-
males, followed, accompanied by music, &c. The
boatmen, in their Sunday clothes, were particularly nu-
merous, and formed a most picturesque assemblage in
their blue and white frocks, and their hats decorated
with ribbands. In short, the spot, from the noise,
bustle, and jullity, had every appearance of a fair until
a late hour.

This canal, which has been nearly seven years incom-
plete, unites all the principal canals in the kingdom with
the river Thames. From its commencement to the ter-
mination of Limehouse, it extends nearly nine miles,
and within that space are comprised 12 locks and 37
bridges. The construction of the former is on so excel-
lent a principle, that only three minutes and a half are
occupied in passing each of them. The work was pro-
jected by J. Nash. Esq. the Royal architect, under
whose superintendence it had been completed. The
tunnel under Islington-hill is about three-quarters of a
simile in length, and passes benath the bed of the New
River.

At seven o'clock nearly a hundred gentlemen sat down
to an excellent dinner, the Earl of -Macclesfield in the
chair. Alter the removal of the cloth, and when the
usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been drank, the
Noble Chairman proposed " Success to the Regent's
Canal," tullich was drank with great cordiality.

Mr. Monroe, a member of the committee, observed,
"That as the Regent's Canal was an undertaking, the
nature and objects of which were not perhaps generally
known, he might be allowed to avail himself of the op-
portunity which this toast afforded him to say a few words
on the subject. This was one of thosegreat works which,
though originating in the enterprising spirit of private
individuals, were calculated to produce the greatest
benefit to the public. Many years had elapsed since
the commencement of the work, and now they had at
last the satisfaction to see it completed, though its com-
pletion had been accomplished at a great expense, and
after sxtraordinary exertions. In truth, the difficulties
which had been surmounted were known only to those
who had been engaged in superintending the work: and
the expense had.greatly exceeded the amount anticipated
by those who had formed the original estimates. The
sum expended on this canal was upwards of half a mil-
lion sterling ; but the proprietors had the gratifying as-
surance that it would be attended with great advantage
to the metropolis, at the sante time that it would add
materially to the beauty of the country, and connect the
whole inland navigation of England. When they saw
this great undertaking successfully completed, they were
naturally induced to look to the superintending hand
under which it had been accomplished ; and in the
person of their Noble Chairman they had
.the good
fortune to see that union of high rank and intelligence,
which could not fail to command respect, and to ensure
success to the cause in which they are all so deeply
interested. (Great applause.) lie concluded by pro-
posing the health of their Noble Chairman, the Earl
of Macclesfield," which was drank with three times
three.

The Noble Chairman returned thanks. Whatever
exertions he had made In promote the object of the
proprietors, had resulted from the conviction that the
canal would answer the expectation. of the public,
and of those who were more immediately concerned in
the undertaking. The work was now completed, and
he had no doubt that all the anticipations which he and
others had formed respecting its utility would soon be
realized. (Applause.)
On the health of the gentlemen of the Committee
being drank, Mr. Monroe returned thanks.
A number of other appropriate toasts were drank in
the course of the evening, and the festivity of the com-
pany was continued till a late hour.

The Marquis of Donegal, will, it is said, have the
vacant Blue Ribbon of the Earl of Roden.