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20 TRAVELS
attracted the attention of the Swedish government, and they em-
ployed 1immense sums, at different times, during almost a whole
century, for the execution of it; notwithstanding, this vast enter-
prize proceeded so flowly, and with 1o little effe&, that it seemed
to mock eyery human effort of strength or {kill. Its a&tual ac-
bomplishment was reserved to teach a very important lefson to
governments, and all great bodies of men, that though any under-
taking should languish and fail under their direction, yet it may
be quickened, and may succeed, when it becomes the interest of
individuals not to embezzle the general ftock, when their fortune
depends on their entering minutely into all the details of labour
and expence, and on bringing the work as specdily as pofsible to
a just and happy conclusion. An affociation was formed of
Gothenburg merchants and others, a joint stock was raised, the
privilege of a toll on a future canal was granted and secured by
government, shares in the eventual produce were sold at higher
and higher prices as the work advanced, and in the courte of five
or {ix years the canal was completed. The length of this canal,
on which there are nine locks, 1s nearly three miles; the width
thirty-six feet; the depth in some places above fifty. Basins are
formed at conyenient distances for various purposes, which it | is
unnecessary to enumerate. It 1s not easy for any one to form an
1dea of the difficulties that were to be surmounted in the forma-
tion of this wonderful canal, unless he had been an eye-witness.
’The speRator now views the fmooth level as if 1t had been 1o.
always, and loses fight of the heights and rugged substances
through
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