DRAINAGE OF THE FEN DISTRICT. 91 
similar works, that to the height of 10 or 12 feet, it was found by 
experience, Cheshire marle retains its shape sufficiently well ; but when 
the height required amounts to 50, 60 or 70 feet, no estimate can safely 
be made, and the enterprise ought not to be hazarded. 
  
DRAINAGE OF THE FEN COUNTRY, AND ESPECIALLY OF THE 
BEDFORD LEVEL. 
[ See Plate 32.] 
Having for ten years been employed upon sundry improvements in 
the drainage and navigation of the great Fen Level, in the counties of 
Cambridge, Norfolk and Lincoln, I have now to give a general descrip- 
tion of the former and present state of this singularly interesting district. 
To enter at large into its historical details has occupied volumes; but 
sufficient information may be acquired by having recourse to the excellent 
Map, published in 1830, and accompanied by two octavo volumes, 
the work of Mr. Samuel Wells, who, in his office of registrar to the 
Bedford Level Corporation, has access to all existing documents, by 
means of which he has been enabled to select and record whatsoever is 
most valuable respecting this truly national improvement. 
The great Fen district comprehends the low lands lying on each side 
of the bay called the Wash, which divides the counties of Norfolk and 
Lincoln, and occupies a space which, measured from Cambridge to a line 
drawn between Lincoln and Wainfleet, is about 60 miles in length, and 
not less than 20 to 80 in breadth. This extensive flat i1s bounded 
by the higher lands of the six counties of N orfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, 
Huntingdon, N orthampton and Lincoln ; the area of the Bedford Level 
exclusively being about 580 English square miles, and therefore 400 
N 2