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(ADVERTISEMENT.)
TO THE EDITOR OF THE GAZETTE.
SIR, - Mr. Hodgson has taken great pains to prove our having
commenced the Survey of Yorkshire nine years ago, and with
the addition of my endeavours to prove the same thing, I
cannot doubt but that our main object is so far attained.
but this does not shew we had then determined upon the whole
Series; and yet it does shew we were then commencing the
undertaking in which we are now engaged. If a man determines
upon a walk with the intention only of proceeding a mile,
and when that mile is accomplished, he is induced to advance
nine further, would not his commencement have been the
beginning of the whole ten miles, even though the ten were
not thought of when he started? Will Mr. Hodgson find any
difficulty in understanding this?
Quoting half paragraphs from my letters, and adding to them
notes of explanation, is unfair. If Mr. Hodgson will let
them remain in their original shape, they will bear the test
of his criticism, and all the efforts of his inventive
genius in the splendour of his abilities cannot defeat them.
If my assertions want support in his estimation of things,
they can have it, because they convey facts. If Mr. Hodgson
finds himself obliged to make statements he cannot support,
to serve a bad cause, it is no reason he should suspect
mine, which I can support; and no one of which he has yet
disproved. He has stated that I say, (speaking of our
forthcoming Map of Westmorland,) "will it be more correct
than those we have already published? Certainly it will!!!"
Then he goes on to say, "this is quite enough for him to
conclude that he shall be enabled to execute a Map of
Westmorland, to say the least of it, equally accurate with
ours." Could any one but himself draw such a conclusion? But
such is his reasoning. The observation I will repeat; -
"Within a few months our Map of Westmorland will be in the
hands of Subscribers, and I shall have no hesitation in
saying it will be the most correct County Map ever
published. If it is asked, will it be more so than those
proceeding it? I shall say, certainly it will because the
accumulation of experience produces a progressive
improvement; and may I not say, in afield so extensive, even
up to this moment, we derive additional benefit by the
addition of instance for comparison. Would it not,
therefore, be presumption in us to assume, that our first
Maps could be equally accurate with these we are now
publishing?"
I have not perhaps expressed myself in the words I did
before but the meaning is the same. In the first County, as
I have before stated, it was thought necessary to supply me
with superior information to any I could possess, as a
private Surveyor. And I had the assistance and instruction
of a Gentleman of eminence, in the Science. In the absence
of similar advantages, how can Mr. Hodgson pretend to an
equality with us; even in our first Map?
I have carefully avoided touching on the merits or demerits
of Mr. Hodgson's professional abilities, and I have
recommended him to pursue a similar course respecting others
of whose practice he can know nothing. I deny having
represented the mensuration of the Chain as the only
operation in his Survey. When it was stated in the first
instance, that a plan projected from the mensuration of the
Chain must leave far behind other systems, the writer could
not define, I made observations upon that statement only. Of
the operations of Mr. Hodgson's Survey I know nothing,
excepting what he himself states about it. Pulling the Chain
about the County is no proof of the accuracy of his Survey;
or is the application of himself only, in my opinion, any
recommendation of it. Who is himself, and by what
distinguished?
No doubt, as he complains much of my want of modesty, he is
the very model of that virtue. As for instance, his stating
that his prospectus, like ours, was laid before the public
at the very time he "concluded to commence;" and that he
cannot but feel truly gratified with the distinction made in
his favour. Now, if Mr. Hodgson had commenced to conclude
making such observations, his modesty would not have
suffered by it. How does he expect such a representation
will be received by the bulk of these Gentlemen, whose names
he procured, and who are now aware in what manner? I will
take the liberty of informing Mr. Hodgson, that the
sentiments of those of his Subscribers I have seen, do not
appear to be wrapped up in that unexplained zeal and
enthusiastic partiality of himself and his proceedings, he
so profusely represents. The Scale of his Map, which I have
understood he engages, shall be one inch and a third, he
represents to his Subscribers as being one third larger than
ours. I would recommend him to correct this statement, and
call it only a fourth; as I should think he will have no
objection to admit that there are four thirds of an inch on
one inch and a third. His Scale, therefore, will only be
larger than ours by a fourth. I am not aware that a Map of
Westmorland would be more acceptable if its Scale was
extended to more than an inch to a mile - that being amply
sufficient for the introduction of every minutiae in a
County like Westmorland. To a larger Scale, as a Subscriber,
I should object, because it increases unnecessarily the size
of the Map, and so far as this goes, I will engage, that our
Map shall be equally comprehensive with any other likely to
be made, or the Subscribers shall be at liberty to decline
receiving it.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
C. GREENWOOD.
King's Arms, Aug. 7, 1823.
Also in the Kendal Chronicle 9 August 1823.
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