446 



Journal of Facts. 



completed in the summer of 1838, and 

 that the whole line may then be opened. 

 The engineer has, it seems, been ratherout 

 of his reckoning as respects thecosts^ of the 

 railroad. Theoriginal capital hasbeen all 

 expended except 215 000/.;and it now ap- 

 pears that at least two millions more will be 

 required to complete the works. The di- 

 rectors are certainly possessed of some 

 assurance to acknowledge that their Par- 

 Coal entered at the Port 



liamentary estimate was too low by 

 1,600,000/. Their apologies cannot pal- 

 liate their transgression of common ho- 

 nesty and fair dealing. Mr. Stephensan, 

 we recollect, served the good people of 

 Liverpool and Manchester.a similar trick. 

 That, railroad, estimated at 500, OOO/., cost 

 1.200.000/. So much for estimates. 

 Shareholders, beware 1 



of London in 1833-4-5. 



Greenwich Railway. Vlhe greatest 

 amount taken in one day, during Decem- 

 ber and January, was 135/. ; the greatest 

 in the present month exceeds 200/., which 

 is at the rate of 73,000/. per annum, or 

 above 12 per cent, on the capital, sup- 

 posing it 600,000/. And if one-third 

 (which is more than it can be for a mere 

 passenger traffic) was taken for wear and 

 tear and other expenses, it would leave 

 8 per cent, profit. 



Ceremony of opening a Russian Rail- 

 way. A letter from St. Petersburgh, 

 dated the 21st of November, says : 

 " The first iron railroad in Russia was 

 openedonthe 18th. The travelling steam- 

 engine, built by M. Hackworth of New 

 Shildon, having got finished, was pre- 

 pared for the occasion, but was not per- 

 mitted to commence until religiously con- 

 secrated. At eleven o'clock, A.M., a friar 

 with his attendants made their appearance 

 at the station from which the train was to 

 start, bringing with them a table, three 

 wax candles, a dish full of holy water, 

 and a golden cross. After being clothed 

 with their priestly garments, they began 

 to chaunt, and the priests crossed them- 

 selves and various parts of the engine, 

 then took the birch and threw the holy 

 water on the engine and the crowd of 

 spectators which had assembled to wit- 

 ness the scene. The chief priest then 



prayed that the Emperor and family 

 might be preserved, and that the engine 

 might be fortunate and do much good ; 

 this, after pronouncing the benediction, 

 concluded theceremony,wbichlastedabout 

 three quarters of an hour. The candles were 

 then removed, and the engine commenced 

 with a train of carriages, and proceeded' 

 fromPaulowsktoKowzmino andback,much 

 to the satisfaction of the spectators, and 

 the Grand Duke, who rode on the train 

 during the journey. The Emperor's at- 

 tention was attracted by the magnificent 

 appearance of the iron horse. He, ad- 

 dressing himself in English, said, * It is 

 the finest I ever saw.' The Emperor ap- 

 peared much gratified with the success 

 which had attended their first attempt at 

 this new mode of conveyance." 



New Uses of Slate. Slate has lately 

 been employed for purposes to which it 

 was before deemed wholly unfit. The 

 billiard -table makes finds no material so 

 well adapted to his purpose as the combi- 

 nation of four slate slabs of about 6 by 3 

 feet. Such a table-top (of which more 

 than 500 have now been made) costs 

 about 131. The upholsterer has also be- 

 gun to use it as a cheap and good sub- 

 stitute for marble in wash-stands and 

 other bed-room articles. Slate is likely to 

 become generally useful, also, as an eco- 

 nomical substitute for the stone-blocks on 



