226 
traders, the numerous wrecks every 
winter, the enormous expenses so pecu- 
liar to the shipping interest, and the 
farther detention by canals (such as the 
total stoppage to’ commerce when’ they 
are undergoing repair, and in time of 
frosts, or droughts), greatly retard the 
intercourse of the country, and con- 
sequently .enhance the transport of 
merchandize. Rail-ways are free from 
all these:objections, and the great speed 
with which journeys might be made, 
would enable the proprietors of caravans 
and waggons to reduce the present 
charge one-half, as their returns would 
be so. rapid; mdeed; journeys might be 
made from London to the interior towns 
in half the time taken up by boats from 
Gainsborough, Selby, and Hull, without 
reckoning all the time lost by the cir- 
cuitous passage trading vessels make 
from London to these ports ; surely the 
wholesale dealers in colonial produce 
cannot long be indifferent to the im- 
portance; of this improvement, which 
would enable them to supply the gro- 
cers of the country towns at one-half 
the present charge of carriage, and in 
one-quarter of the time. 
But this scheme would not only im- 
prove all commercial connexions, by the 
approximation of the various branches 
of commerce and manufactures with 
their source, it would also add con- 
siderably to the domestic convenience 
of individuals residing in the vicinity 
of London; the immense population 
spread around:the great city, going to 
and fro by the numerous stages every 
day, might be conveyed -with greater 
accommodation and safety, in one- 
half the time, and at one-half the 
expense now incurred. The circumja- 
cent country is particularly well adapt- 
ed for rail-ways in every respect, there- 
fore I should have thought it likely 
this plan would have commenced at the 
capital, as soon as at Birmingham, Man- 
chester, and Liverpool ; between these 
three places a rail-way is about to be 
laid down, for the general introduction 
of land steam-conveyance. 
London, most particularly, requires a 
new system. of communication with the 
commercial and manufacturing districts. 
The commerce of the capital must de- 
cline, in, consequence of the delay and 
expense’ which ‘attend the exporta- 
tion .or importation of merchandize 
there, compared with the north; in 
order to enable the metropolis to hold 
its wonted rank, as the chief commer- 
cial city, it must carefully watch and 
‘ 
Observations on Land Steam-Conveyance. 
[Oct. I, 
patronize in the south, every improve- 
ment of the northern parts. 
Whatever attempts may be made to 
bring steam-carriages, or other mecha- 
nical vehicles, into use on the ordinary 
turnpike-roads, such plans will never an- 
swer ; these new steam-carriages, on de- 
scending the steep hills of our ordinary 
turnpike-roads, would, on the slightest 
accident happening to the machinery, 
be dashed to pieces; the small weight, 
moreover, drawn by one steam-engine, 
and the dilatory rate of speed, compared 
with what the same engine might effect on 
animprovediron rail-way, are sufficient to 
shew the folly of the-attempt. The only 
likely way of success is to adapt our 
road to the peculiar construction of me- 
chanic-power, by a perfectly even, and 
solid surface, so as to accelerate the 
speed of carriages with a less propelling 
power, and consequently diminish the 
expense of conveyance. ~ 
As a select committee was appointed 
by the House of Commons to examine 
into the merits of steam navigation, the 
same attention to the present plan 
would be productive of the utmost good. 
—Communications have already been 
made to Government—to the General 
Post Office—and to the Corporation of 
the City of London; and it is hoped that 
the rail-way, about to be laid down be- 
tween Birmingham, Manchester, and 
Liverpool,* may stimulate the wealthy 
inhabitants 
* Mr. Stephenson, of _Neweastle-upon- 
Tyne, has laid down the line) between 
Liverpool and Manchester ; the distance is 
thirty-three miles and one-sixteenth.. The 
surveys are nearly completed, and the com- 
mittee entertain not the least doubt of be- 
ing ready for the next’ session of Parlia- 
ment. Independent of the great ‘benefit 
which the commercial interést will’ derive 
from the project, which, both as“regards 
time and cheapness, will prove most im- 
portant ; the landed interest, in| the) vicinity 
of the line, will also derive very great bene- 
fit from it. The communication will, be so 
cheap and rapid, that the distancefrom a 
market for produce, or for the supply of 
manure, will amount to very little. New 
collieries will be opened, and coals will be 
much reduced in price. The public in 
general entertain wrong impressions re- 
specting rail-ways ; they ‘never hear them 
mentioned without referring to such as are 
seen in the neighbourhood of coal-pits and 
stone-quarries.. But, such- improvements 
haye taken place, that they are, no, longer 
the same thing ;' besides which, a rail-way 
without a locomotive engine is something 
like a cart without a horse, a trade without 
py 
