This work, had it been completed, would have been one of the most remarkable of modern times. The project was one

of the noblest examples of the enterprise which characterized the reign of Louis XIV., and had it been carried out would have presented a work equal in grandeur to any of the kind constructed by the Romans. It was projected by Vauban,

and the work was commenced in 1684, but was abandoned in 1688.

It was intended to conduct water from the river Eura to Versailles ; a distance of over seventy miles ; and it was also contemplated to continue the work to St. Cloud and to Paris ; had this been done it would have been over ninety miles in length. It was intended to be of a mixed construction ; partly by a canal formed by excavations and embankments, and partly by a channel of masonry.

One of the most remarkable structures connected with it, was the Aqueduct bridge across the valley of Maintenon. This was designed to be entirely of masonry, having three ranges of arches, one above another. The length of this Aqueduct bridge would have been three and a quarter miles, and the height from the lowest part of the valley would have been 234 feet.

The whole number of arches designed for this bridge was 685.

Some of the piers and arches of the lower tier were constructed, but have since been suffered to crumble and fall. Many deep valleys were filled with embankments, and the canal was completed for a portion of the distance, but the