Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-09-26
MISCELLANEOUS.
STRICKLAND'S REPORTS

STRICKLAND'S REPORTS.
by the liberal enterprize of niessrs Carey and
Lea, the public now in possession of th,
= Reports on Canals, RAILWAYS Roads &c Sc
made to the Pennsylvania Sorie,y Tor the Pro.
motion Of Internal Improvement BY William
s'rieki,nh' E-q Architect and Engineer, while
engaged in the service OF the Society,"
Ills work of which il is our intention IN rive
particular yss, contains the Information cojIecred
by> MIR. Strickland, the agent of the PonnsvI.
vania Soclety, in 1925, during visit t, England
Ireland, iud Scotland, made under the spnonI-oani
o; the Socie'y, and at their charge The liberia
ana enlightened pal'loli'm which prompted this
measure, ana sustained the heavy expenses which
attended Its execution, cannot be too much co,,
niended. Without the aid of the General Govern
rent, and unassis ed by tha, of their own State. a
Society,"" composed of forty-eieht gentlemen. and
supported by funds contributed by the members
ati donations from public spirited CORPORATION, and
individuals" have accomplished a purpose from
"hch most extensive and permanent advantages
MIST re.ult 10 Pennsylvania and TO the ns,ion
beiore we notice the matter contained in this
most useful and valuable publication, j, j. due IN
Messrs Carey and Lea TO express our apnroba-
uon OF the manner in which il has been executed
The work contains 81 plates, is engraved
IN mastery style of linz engraving, with the u,
most accuracy and nesinc~s. To the artists who
have been engaged in this performance. il is inc
and
FAR exceeds most OF those which have anpeored in
Europe, whee the same kind of enpravino hos
been employed. The ordinations of the oiie,,s
intended TO be rep esentei plain and ue;sDcrou
the shading and lettering are distinct and ,bs
whole face of The plates shows progress and al
vancenent IN the arts. which is highly honorable 10
our country. Inc Ie'ter-prcss, comprising the re-
ports OF Mr.. Strickland TO the Society. and ex
plantations OF the plates, is exceedingly handsome:
the type II of form aud beauty eCu.I. if No, .n
perior, 10 any we have before seen
To the civil engineers, this work is a mos, i'm -
portant acquisition 1t embo lies much of the sci
ence and experience OF country In which public
works have been executed in the most substantial
oni astf1l manner, and where their practical en-
pIoyment has extensively contributed to the wealth
aud comfort oi the nation. 1t il a circumstance as
eX'raorinaryss true, that English writers have
hitherto communicated the progress which has been
made IN the internal Improvement of their country
IN form 10 be useful 10 the student or practical
engineer; and from which, such knowledge OF
the manner which they are constructed. and of
their proportions, can be obtained 10 enable others
to erect them with The same excellence and suc
This information has been heretofore kent
"lth guarded caution in the bureaus of their enel-
oeers, or impeTiecily detailed in partial reports Ia
"h,ch those only have had access who ate inter
es,et IN The ofks which have been their subjects
The memoirs and reports of Dupip and Dutens
french Engineers, oil some distinction and talents
are entitled to commendation; but they are deficient
IN many important particulars aud they are said TO
cOnain some inaccuracies Other continental pub
LEGATIONS, upon canas, roads, and bridges of Great
Britain, have been charged with the same, and
greater mperlecions.
II was left for the " Society for the promotion
Of Internal Improvement in Pennsylvania to pro-
pose and execute plan by which many Of those
deficiencies have been supplied, and through which
English experience and science have been brought to
our country, IN form 10 make them at once mos,
extensively useful & capable ofimmediate application
q employment. " The Reports before w. contain
much OF this science and experience, as it has been
applied ih success 10 the canals, roads, railways
and bridges, Of that Kingdom and the mode in
which this information is given, has placed in our
hands working models of all their parts and the
most minue Development of all their intricaces anG
difficulties and Of the principles emplored in their
construction.
The Society, early in 1925. selected William
Strickland, Esq. native Of Philadelphia, as their
agent to Europe and collect information of
IL. ihe y'inatle improvements ~ canals, roads
railways, bridges and other Information calculated
20 promote lie objects oil The Society,"; who after
devOiing sufficient time 70 the execution Of the
trust fepOsed in him, returned home in the same
gear. This work is the pr oiuct Of his abors, and
s. the rich reward Of the confluence justly repos-
ed IN him.
The publication complies " The Reports, 81
properly 80 called, and has been stated, SEVENTY
one plates illustrating the matter contained in them
and also exhibiting drawings Of many Of the mos
important public works Of England; The plates also
contain plans and sections 81 furnaces for MAKING
non and steel and cooking coal, Of apparatus ustC
in making gas, end a drawing OF tie macbinory
adapted TO lhs printing Of calico, &C.
a the purposes OF the visit Of Mr.. Strickland tc
Great Britsin were TO procure practical knowiede,
Of her canals and other public Improvements an,
10 communicate such information AZ would full,
cnsble tho-e who might not have enjoyed The sam,
opportunity 10 examine them, 10 avail theinselye
oil che &c enc= and improvements OF that county,
tie consirlc ion Of similar works here, his com
municsJons have the impfe,s and character ofthos
PURPOSES hfonghont. Tie FIST " RepoG" is O.