X INTRODUCTION. 



While, however, we allow the present improved 

 roads their proper influence, we must maintain, 

 that without the corresponding improvement in 

 our breed of coach-horses, produced by the im- 

 portation of Eastern horses for racing purposes, and 

 which improvement, was brought to its present 

 perfection by the continuance of racing, the in- 

 crease in the rate of travelling would have been 

 trifling. It is, therefore, as having enabled us to 

 avail ourselves of the speed and lasting qualities 

 of a breed of horses far superior to the old, that 

 improved roads have conduced to form our present 

 rate of travelling, and they were accordingly in- 

 creased as this important result became further 

 developed and appreciated, in such a degree, that 

 in 1829, we find the turnpike-roads covered an ex- 

 tent of 24,541 miles. 



How this important branch of national prospe- 

 rity will be afl'ected by the present rage for rail- 

 roads, must, at no distant day, form a most serious 

 subject for the investigation of the legislature. It 

 is true, that Dr. Mc. Culloch maintains, that al- 

 though railroads will cause the discontinuance of 

 horses upon the direct line, the increased general 

 traffic will make it necessary to employ as great a 

 number of horses as will be displaced. 



Against this, however, we must oppose the fact, 

 that the opening of the railroad between Manchester 

 and Liverpool, a distance of Uttle more than thirty 



