1825.) 
The. conflicting opinions of different 
engineers. have, for a while, blinded the 
eyes of the public to the real benefits 
which this measure so obviously dis- 
plays. These various reports may easily 
be traced as the only source of all the 
confusion which seems to beset some 
of the companies; it should, however, 
be observed, that engineers have given 
detailsofexperiments made on rail-ways, 
differing with each other, both in the 
construction of rails and inclination of 
road, as well as in the locomotive en- 
gines and waggons used thereon ; and, 
to complete the confusion attendant on 
such steps, scientific gentlemen are now 
springing up like mushrooms, to give 
abstruse formula on a subject which 
has long since been sufficiently defined 
by the practical experiments of our 
artizans—a far more useful class of 
society. 
From these causes it would be ex- 
tremely difficult to come to any satis- 
factory conclusion; but, notwithstanding 
all the sophistry of those opposed to 
the measure, and the confusion intro- 
duced by different engineers, sufficient 
information may still be collected, to 
convince the impartial-man of the vast 
superiority of rail-ways, even on their 
present defective construction, over all 
other modes of conveyance. If the 
public would but think for themselves, 
instead of blindly submitting to the per- 
plexing opinions of interested engineers, 
they would easily come at the truth; 
there is nothing more simple in detail 
than a rail-way: and,in order to gain the 
requisite information, let any one take 
the trouble to examine the one at Leeds, 
under the management of Mr. Blenkin- 
sop, one of our most experienced en- 
gineers, and who was the first to bring 
the locomotive engine into practical 
effect on rail-ways: the meanest mecha- 
nic employed on this rail-way would 
have been able to give every information 
to the public : but, instead of consulting 
men of this sort, information has been 
sought for from individuals less qualified 
to afford it. 
. Time and experience may get the 
better of public ignorance and prejudice, 
and teach those gentlemen, who are ap- 
pointed to the management of rail-way 
cep panice, to follow common sense, and 
eave all scientific gentlemen (as they 
are styled) to amuse themselves with 
eir specious theories. : 
~ No really satisfactory or efficient ex- 
periments can be made. until some pub; 
oon 
Rail: Wi ays. 
31 
lic raileway. of. considerable extent ba 
laid down, so as to afford a fair trial of 
vehicles, both for the conveyance of 
persons and of goods of every descrip- 
tion; surely it cannot be expected that 
the clumsy coal waggons in use, on the 
present imperfect rails, could yield expe- 
riments to satisfy the idle curiosity and 
impertinent questions of ignorant per- 
sons: it would be just as reasonable to 
expect that the conveyance of the inland 
mails could be effected by Tiames-street 
carts and horses. It is equally incon- 
sistent to suppose that private indivi- 
duals should incur the expense of laying 
down proper rails, and of building pro- 
per carriages, for the conveyance of all 
descriptions of merchandize as well as 
of persons, without which no experi- 
ments can be made so as to give general 
satisfaction. The same lethargic indif- 
ference we witnessed in our government, 
before they ventured to second the per- 
severing example of individuals in the 
establishment of steam-packets, will now 
be played over again with respect to 
this measure-—what then? there never 
was any individual, in this or any other 
country, who could, without particular 
influence over constituted authorities, 
make the least impression upon a go- 
vernment, unless by the most provoking 
industry and incessant application.— 
It will hardly be credited, fifty years 
hence, that our statesmen could be so 
totally lost to the common occurrences 
of the day, and so careless of the in- 
estimable treasure which our artizans 
have for many years presented to their 
view. 
When the prejudiced opinions of 
those individuals who now oppose this 
scheme, shall be silenced by a cool re- 
flection of its national importance, we 
shall find every class of society gradually 
incline towards it, till all become unani- 
mous. The merchant, manufacturer, 
and farmer, will each receive an addi- 
tional power or means of conveyance, at 
a diminished expenditure; the conveni- 
ence to the community will be so gene- 
ral and impartial, as to be felt from the 
cottage to the throne: and the states- 
man, who now, through ignorance, 
smiles at the’measure as one of a specu- 
lative nature, will find it an inexhaus- 
tible source of revenue unparalleled in 
the history of man. . 
Your’s, &c. Ree 
Tuomas Gray. 
Th 
& 
Nottingham, 1st July 18%. sn 
