A more careful examination of facts connected with the roads round London, has discovered several other causes, from whence proceeds the defective state of these roads. The greatest appears to be, the division of the roads into so many small Trusts, which precludes the possibility of any extended plan of operations, for the benefit of the whole. Before any one road round London can be properly reformed, and all wasteful expenditure restrained, a comprehensive view of the local situation of the whole district will be requisite. Another great impediment to improvement, arises from the laws and regulations, which prevent a supply of good road materials, of several kinds, being brought to London by water, and landed in different places, convenient for the roads. Were these restrictions removed, as far as concerns stone, flint, or any ballast for road-making, London is so favorably situated for water carriage by the river, and by the canals connected with it, that a supply, equal to the wants of all the roads in the vicinity of London, might be obtained at a reasonable rate, and of good quality, so as to render the use of the bad gravel round the metropolis no longer necessary.[1] But this measure, to be performed in an economical, and efficient manner, must be done upon an extended scale; it must become one interest, directed by one select body of men of weight, ability, and character. Footnote 1: This must not be understood as conveying an opinion, that a good road may not be constructed with the London gravel, properly prepared and applied. The road at Reading, in Berkshire, has lately been made perfectly smooth, solid, and level, with a gravel inferior to that of London, and at less than it formerly cost. Carriages make no impression on this road, and it has remained good in all changes of weather. Nevertheless, a means having been discovered, by diligent enquiry, for importing flints, from a distance, the Reading road will, in future, be repaired with flint, at half the expence required to prepare the gravel of the neighbourhood. A road near London may be made as smooth, solid, and easy for cattle to draw carriages over, as the road near Bristol; and the London road _so made_ will last longer, and consequently be less expensive than the Bristol road, because the materials which may be obtained are more durable, and may be procured at less expence. Flint makes an excellent road, if due attention be paid to the size; but from want of that attention, many of the flint roads are rough, loose, and expensive. Limestone, when properly prepared and applied, makes a smooth, solid road, and becomes consolidated sooner than any other material; but from its nature is not the most lasting. Whinstone is the most durable of all materials; and wherever it is well and judiciously applied, the roads are comparatively good and cheap.