Page:Brinkley - China - Volume 2.djvu/46

cognate engineering work in the world, but its chief uses have now virtually disappeared, much of the tribute rice it was originally designed to convey to the metropolis being carried to-day far more cheaply and expeditiously by steamers taking the sea route.

It is notable that several European observers in former years endeavoured to depreciate the Grand Canal as a signal monument of skilled industry, their contention being that in every part of its course it passes through alluvial soil easily excavated; that in almost every district traversed it is aided by tributary rivers or lakes; that the sluices for preserving the levels are of rude construction, being simply buttresses of stone with grooves into which thick plants are fitted; and that nowhere is a mountain tunnelled or a viaduct formed. These criticisms, far from fulfilling their purpose, bear eloquent testimony to the engineering ability of the planners of the canal. It is precisely because they accomplished their object with a minimum of difficulty that they deserve the highest praise.

Marked differences of opinion have been recorded by travellers with reference to highroads in China, some describing them as execrable while others praise them warmly. The truth is that the roads are either mere tracks or elaborately paved causeways, and that although much labour and expense were occasionally lavished on their creation at the outset, no continuous system