The middle of the high causeways to be paved with stone, chalk, or
gravel, and kept always two feet higher than the sides, that the
water might have a free course into the ditches; and persons kept in
constant employ to fill up holes, let out water, open drains, and
the like, as there should be occasion--a proper work for highwaymen
and such malefactors, as might on those services be exempted from
the gallows.

It may here be objected that eight years' assessment to be demanded
down is too much in reason to expect any of the poorer sort can pay;
as, for instance, if a farmer who keeps a team of horse be at the
common assessment to work a week, it must not be put so hard upon
any man as to work eight weeks together. It is easy to answer this
objection.

So many as are wanted, must be had; if a farmer's team cannot be
spared without prejudice to him so long together, he may spare it at
sundry times, or agree to be assessed, and pay the assessment at
sundry payments; and the bank may make it as easy to them as they
please.

Another method, however, might be found to fix this work at once.
As suppose a bank be settled for the highways of the county of
Middlesex, which as they are, without doubt, the most used of any in
the kingdom, so also they require the more charge, and in some parts
lie in the worst condition of any in the kingdom.

If the Parliament fix the charge of the survey of the highways upon
a bank to be appointed for that purpose for a certain term of years,