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curious feature of vanished or vanishing England is the decay of
our canals, which here and there with their unused locks, broken
towpaths, and stagnant waters covered with weeds form a pathetic
and melancholy part of the landscape.  If you look at the map of
England you will see, besides the blue curvings that mark the
rivers, other threads of blue that show the canals.  Much was
expected of them.  They were built just before the railway era. 
The whole country was covered by a network of canals.  Millions
were spent upon their construction.  For a brief space they were
prosperous.  Some places, like our Berkshire Newbury, became the
centres of considerable traffic and had little harbours filled
with barges.  Barge-building was a profitable industry.  Fly-
boats sped along the surface of the canals conveying passengers
to towns or watering-places, and the company were very bright
and enjoyed themselves.  But all are dead highways now,
strangled by