Monthly Review of Literature. 311 



sincere, when he declares that he never will, at least until they shall be based 

 on a better system than is unfortunately the case at the present moment. 



" It is his intention, therefore, to offer some preliminary observations on the 

 utility of railways ; the probable profit of such as were approved by Parlia- 

 ment last session ; and, subsequently, to suggest the best means for securing 

 to the public all the advantages that may be derived from this newly adopted 

 mode of conveyance." 



This is very appropriately and judiciously said ; and of the value of his con- 

 tributions to the general stock of knowledge on a most important subject, we 

 can, for our own part, bear extensive testimony. As to the utility of railways, 

 he despatches the matter in a few words, leaving trite matters of fact to com- 

 mon-place minds, and comes to the pith of his subject at once. This mode of 

 dealing with it fully bears out the title of the pamphlet, and will repay an 

 attentive perusal. We do not subscribe to all his doctrines, and have not 

 room just now to give the reasons for our dissent ; but on the whole we think 

 he has afforded a capital elucidation of a proposed improvement worthy of the 

 most attentive consideration. 



Let the projectors, rather than dupes, weigh well the lesson inculcated in 

 the following : 



" As a matter of profit, and to induce the public to come forward in sup- 

 port of these undertakings, in many cases the most fallacious statements were 

 put forth, and some of them so absurd, that it [implies an almost incredible 

 degree of credulity in the parties deceived by them. One company, proposing 

 to expend two or three millions on a railway, put forth, as one of the sources 

 of profit, the conveyance of cherries and strawberries to the London market ! 

 In short, so much nonsense was promulgated for the purpose of raising shares, 

 that, had not the eyes of the multitude been blinded by desire of gain, the 

 major part of the schemes would have been smothered in the birth. 



" The fact really is, with reference to profit, that a reasonable doubt is en- 

 tertained by those best qualified to form a correct judgment, whether any 

 thing more than a very moderate profit will ever be realized eventually by any 

 of the railways from the enormous expenses to which they will be liable ; 

 and a belief prevails that the chief part of those in contemplation, and for 

 which bills have either passed, or are in progress of preparation to meet the 

 ordeal of Parliament, should they commence tunnelling and cutting, according 

 to the usual method, will be in the condition of the Thames Tunnel, with 

 reference to the original capital, long before a very moderate proportion of the 

 work shall be done." 



These are the words of one thoroughly conversant with what he writes 

 about ; and he still more forcibly impresses the fruits of his knowledge to be 

 unwary thus : 



' There are railways projected which would not be completed in the pre- 

 sent generation, and in parts of the country where they could have scarcely 

 any other source of profit than passengers. In those cases all natural ob- 

 stacles are lost sight of, and melt away before the sanguine expectations of the 

 speculators ; mounds, banks, and tunnels, are contemplated, piercing through 

 granite, slate, trap, quartz rock, and dolomite, hard or soft, no matter which, 

 treating the whole family of primary rocks as if they were so much cheese ! 

 Such schemes would never have grown into existence, had a tribunal been 

 originally instituted, competent to try the truth of their statements, and the 

 practicability of their undertakings. 



" It may naturally be asked, how can an engineer of reputation commit 

 himself by engaging in an enterprise so little calculated to satisfy hereafter 

 those who repose their trust in him ? To this it may be answered, that a 

 company being formed, directors and secretaries nominated, and the next 

 object being the appointment of an engineer, a popular one is applied to ; he 

 has only time to give a hasty glance at the country, perhaps out of the win- 

 dows of the mail, or a post-chaise ; pronounces a qualified opinion at the next 



