it was exhibited at the royal academy in 1818, where it was described by "the morning chronicle" as "one of the most magnificent pictures ever exhibited, and does honour to the age". in 1832, john constable wrote of the picture, "i remember most of turner's early works; amongst them one of singular intricacy and beauty; it was a canal with numerous boats making thousands of beautiful shapes, and i think the most complete work of a genius i ever saw".