is 16, that of the third 14 feet. The culverts and gates are so well contrived, that a boat or raft may pass the three locks, in 8 minutes. The workmanship of these locks for neatness and strength is equalled by none in the United States.*

The naturalist will be gratified to learn that on digging over the earth on the bank of Merrimack river, to lay the foundation of the locks, pine cones and charcoal were found at the depth of twelve feet from the surface, in a sound and unimpaired state specimens of which are deposited in the museum at Cambridge. A small horn was also found at nearly the same depth from the surface, supposed to be that of a cow of two or three years old.

* While the public utility of the Middlesex Canal and its peculiar advantages to the towns through which it passess are readily acknowledged, it is greatly to be feared that the morals of the people in those towns will be corrupted by the transaction of business upon the canal on the Sabbath. That boats are loaded and navigated on the Lord's day, would seem to old-fashioned New-Englandmen a strange and alarming departure from primative purity and real christianity.

The learned and able statesman and financier, Mons. Neckar, just animadverted upon the practice of working on the Sabbath at a bridge, built over the Seine. His remarks are respectfully suggested to the proprietors of Middlesex canal, to the people residing upon it, and to all those who watch over the interests of church and state.

"For a short time laborers have been permitted to work at Paris of a Sunday. We see this publickly done at the new bridge, which is building over the Seine; as if a work of mere convenience was in such haste, that the laws should be dispensed with, to accelerate its execution. It is the duty of government to consider in a more comprehensive view the interest of that part of society, which is so blind in its calculation.

And the church should examine also, if the sudden alteration of a practice so ancient may not give rise to an idea, that the spirit of religion has grown feeble. For the nations, where this spirit is best preserved, have the greatest respect for the sabbath." Neckar on Relig. Opin. p.124. Note. See also a pamphlet, printed 1816, by Cummings and Hilliard, Boston, entitled Remarks on the Lord's day, as a moral, positive and civil duty.-By Dr. R. Wyman.

1790.-Wall rebuilt round the old burying place.

1796.-John Ford and others petitioned to be set off to Dracut.

Glass Manufactory.

On the east bank of Middlesex canal, at the distance of two hundred rods from Merrimack river, a large building 124 feet long and 62 wide, with necessary appendages for the manufacturing of window glass was erected in 1802.

Near it is a two storied house handsomely finished, designed for the residence of the overseer, and around it at convenient distances a number of smaller houses for the accommodation of the workmen and their families.

There are appertaining to this manufactory about 20 families, consisting of 40 men, 20 women and 40 children, one hundred in all. It is now in a flourishing state. About three hundred and thirty thousand feet of window. glass are annually made, or three thousand three hundred boxes of one hundred feet each, which at $13 per box, will amount to forty two thousand nine hundred dollars. The situation is very favorable for the transportation of glass to Boston, and those raw materials from thence, which it would be expensive to convey by land. A ready and cheap supply of wood is also easily obtained, of which it is estimated, that about two thousand cords are annually consumed in the manufactory and houses attached to it.

The manufactory consists of 2 furnaces, 3 flattening ovens, 2 tempering ovens, 6 ovens for drying wood, cutting, mixing, and pot rooms, a kiln for burning brick, a mill-house and sand house.

Merrimack Middlesex Bridge-1792.

MERRIMACK Middlesex Bridge, connects Dracut and Chelmsford at Pawtuckett falls. The first bridge was built in 1792, The abutments and piers

were of wood, which lasted about fourteen years. A new bridge became necessary and the summer of 1805 being very dry, was remarkably favorable for the undertaking. A new bridge was accord1805 ingly built on a different construction from the former and with more durable materials. The abutments on each side and the three piers in the river are made of split stones. And where they are most exposed to the violence of the ice at the breaking up of the river in the spring, the stones are fastened together by bolts of iron.

The bridge is laid about twenty feet above the water, at its common height. The great arch over the channel is one hundred and ten feet. The length between the abutments five hundred feet, or about 30 rods.* It cost 14,500 dollars, which is divided into 60 shares, and nets the proprietors o per çent. annually.

* Billerica Great Bridge.'

THE first bridge over Concord river, on the Boston road, was erected at or near the ford way, previous to 1658. In 1662, it was removed from this place' higher up the river; and in 1699 was again removed to the place where it now stands.†

It was erected and supported at the joint expence of Chelmsford, Groton, Dunstable, Dracut, Westford and Billerica. Groton obtained an act of exemption 1699. But on the petition of the other towns that that act might be repealed, the general court referred the whole matter to the court of sessions, from which Groton obtained an act in their favor 1716.§ Dracut, Dunstable and Westford, were hol*The average width of Merrimack river in the town of Chelmsford is 400 yards.

+ Farmer's Historical Memoir of Billerica.

Papers in the Town-Clerk's office.

Records of court in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth

The

den till 1737, and Chelmsford, till 1792. bridge is now the sole property, and maintained at the expence of Billerica.

The first bridge at the mouth of Concord river was about twenty rods below the present.

1774

It was blown down by a gale of wind before it was entirely finished. The second bridge was just below the one now standing. The third and last was built 1810, at the joint expence of Tewksbury and Chelmsford.

Death of Mr. Bridge, Oct. 4, 1792.

AGAIN are we arrived at that period in our history, which reminds us of the perishing nature of men and things. The altar and he that ministered at it grew old together, and were ready to be dissolved.The second meeting house had stood 80 years, when it was taken down that a more beautiful and elegant edifice might be erected in its place. So the clayey tabernacle of Him, who had officiated in it more than fifty one years was dissolved Oct. 4, 1792, that he might have a building of God, a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens.

1790-Fulling mill erected by M. Hale.

1792-Wall built round the west Burying ground at the town's ex

pence.

1793-Voted to sell the old Bell and buy a new one of 700 wt.-Rais. ad 110l, for this purpose.

SECTION V.

Mr. Packard.

THE purposes of man are often interrupted and broken off; but the counsels of God stand fast forever. His plans regularly progress towards their accomplishment. Death which frustrates human purposes, retards not those of the Almighty. He employs a multitude of agents in effecting his designs, and when one fails, he sets another in his place.The third house of worship began in 1792, was nearly finished; but there was none to minister at its altar. Divine providence prepared them a man after his own heart, and sent him unto them in the fulness of the blessings of the gospel of peace.

May 13-1793.

THE town concurred with the church in giving Mr. Hezekiah Packard a call to settle in the ministry in Chelmsford. It was also voted to give him for his support 100l. per year, during his ministry in Chelmsford, and 2001. as a settlement.

October 3.

THE Committee reported to the town that the house* was finished according to agreement. The town accepted their report. And on the 16th day of October 1793, the Rev. Mr. Packard was ordained to the pastoral care of the church and society in Chelmsford.

*This house, raised in 1793, is 64 by 48 feet.