Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
Since the Publication of the early editionsof this Essay, the Author has witnessed withvery great satisfaction the amendment of alarge proportion of the Turnpike Roads, andsome improvement of the Parish Roads. Thatthe reformation has not been more extensiveand successful, may be attributed to the errorstill persisted in by Trustees, of continuing theservices of persons as Road Surveyors, who arenot only altogether ignorant of the business theyprofess, but full of prejudices in favour of theirown erroneous practice.
Another and a greater error has been committedlately, in several parts of the Country,iiand which has entirely arisen from the desireentertained of using the new method of Roadmaking. This very dangerous error consists inemploying persons who offer themselves as havingbeen instructed in Road making on scientificprinciples, without due inquiry respecting theirskill, industry, and moral character.
Among the many persons who present themselvesto be instructed, a very small proportionacquire a competent knowledge of their profession,and this number is farther diminished bysubsequent dismission for negligence, drunkenness,and dishonesty.
Of these rejected and incapable persons, greatnumbers are spread over the Country, solicitingemployment; and many have been incautiouslyengaged by Trustees, without inquiry either asto their character or their ability in their profession.
Under the most favourable circumstances forthe constant and vigilant control of a master,iiiwhose public credit depends on the economicaland skilful performance of the work, it is difficultto keep sub-surveyors in the stric