4 



FARMERS' R E C; i S r E R. 



[No. 1 



y the gleams of dubious li^ht that occasionally 

 break, ill irorii above, or the sparks of fire ihat 

 iseue every insiant from the cliimiiey, render- 

 ing '-darkness vir^ibie." On emergini; Iroin t!)e 

 gloomy aihl jfelid cavern, every ihiiig appears of 

 dazzlinjr brightness, and we breathe with delight 

 the pure atmosphere of heaven. 



The moment the highest point of elevation on 

 any pan of the road is (jained. and a descent com- 

 mences, the enrrine, with its long train, starts oti' 

 with augmenting velocity, dashing along, like 

 lightning, and with an uniform growl, or roar, like 

 a continuous discharge of distant artillery or thun- 

 der. Tlie scene is luw grand — I had almost said 

 terrific. Ahhough it may be a complete calm, 

 the wind appears like a hurricane; and. while the 

 train is flying aiona; the raised embankments, as 

 near Watford, it is impossible not to feel some 

 sense of danger, or an apprehension that some 

 unexpected impediment may hurl the whole cav- 

 alcade into the yawning (?ulf below! 



The meetings of ihe trains flying in opposite di- 

 rections [on double tracks] are scarcely less agita- 

 ting to the nerves than the iransiis through the 

 tunnels. The velocity of their course — the pro- 

 pinquity, or apparent identity of the iron trajets 

 along which these hissing meteors move, raise 

 the involuntary but frightlui thought of a possil)le 

 collision, with all its horrible consequences! 'I'he 

 period of suspense, however, is but momentary. 

 An electrifying concussion, as it were, ol' sense, 

 sight, and sound takes place, and, in a few 

 seconds, the object of terror is out of view behind. 



But such herculean labor cannot be carried on 

 in so small a compass, without great expendilure. 

 The aiito77iaton thirsts; he knows the places of re- 

 freshment; utters a loud and piercing whistle or 

 note of preparation; slackens his pace; halts at 

 the fountain, and inirurgiates a deluge of water to 

 quench his burning drouij;hf. \n five minutes he 

 is able to renew his gigantic task! 



The steam shriek is a new phenomenon on the 

 rail road, and a very startling one it is. Bv open- 

 ing a small valve in the boiler, a volume of steam 

 is driven, with tremendous force and velocity, 

 through a narrow aperture, in imitation of a throat, 

 causing a shrill shriek, unlike the voice of man, or 

 of any known animal, but so loud as to be heard 

 two miles oflT. It is a most unearthly yell, or 

 ecream, or whistle; which was compared by a dis- 

 tinguished poet, who sat beside me,* to the cry ol 

 «orne monstrous animal while being gored to 

 death. It forms an excellent alarum, to clear the 

 road for the train, and apprise those at the stations, 

 that the engine approaches. 



The rail road travelling possesses many pecu- 

 liarities, as well as advantages, over Ihe common 

 modes of conveyance. The velocity with which 

 •the train moves through the air is very refreshing, 

 even in the hottest weather, where the run is for 

 .some miles. The vibratory, or rather oscillatory 

 motion communicated to the human frame, is very 

 different from the swinging and jolting motions of 

 the stage coach, and is productive of more saluta- 

 ry effects. It equalizes the circulation, promotes 

 digestion, tranquilizes the nerves (after the open 

 country is gained,) and often causes sound sleep 

 during the succeeding night, the exercise of this 

 kind of travelling being unaccompanied by that 



• Campbell. 



lassitude, aching, and fitigue which, in weakly 

 constitutions, prevents the nightly repose. The 

 rail road bid.« iitir to be a powerliil remedial agent 

 in many ailments to which the metropolitan and 

 civic inhabitmits are subject. 



To those who are curious, and not very timid, 

 the open carriayes are far prefiirab'e to the closed 

 ones, especially in fine weather. In bad wea her, 

 and partirularly at first, invalids may travel with 

 more advaniatre under cover, 1 have no doubt that 

 to thousands and lens of thousiuids of valetudina- 

 rians in this overgrown Babylon, the run to Box- 

 moor, or Tring and back, twice or thrice a week, 

 will prove a means of preserving health and pro- 

 longing lile, more powerful than all the drugs in 

 Apothecaries' Hall. 



In fine, a man may travel from the pole to the 

 equator — 



"A Gadibus usque ad Gangem" — 



without seeing any thing half so astonishing as 

 the wonders of the rail road. The pangs of Etna, 

 and the convulsions of the elements excite feelmire 

 of horror and terror, without any thing of pride. 

 The magic — the miracles of the rail road, engen- 

 der an exuiling consciousness of superiority in the 

 irenius of man, more intense and conclusive than 

 any effort ol" poet, painter, or philosopher. 



The rail road journey, however, is not without 

 its inconveniences, many of which may be pre- 

 vented by a little ingenuity. The greatest is the 

 discharse of cinders, some of them ignited, from 

 the chimney, which are not only disagreeable, but 

 occasionally dangerou.s to the eyes of those in the 

 open carriages. This might be prevented by an 

 awning — a protection which is adopted on some 

 rail roads, and one that must ultimately be adopted 

 on all. It is a protection li-om the elements of fire 

 and water, which every company is bound to 

 aflord to the passengers, and is attended with tri- 

 flinix expense. Till then, glasses or a veil are ne- 

 cessary guards for the eyes. 



The transits of the tunnels, in hot weather, 

 causing a sudden vicissitude of temperature, to the 

 extent of 20 degrees of the thermometer, or there- 

 abouts, require some precaution on the part of 

 sensitive invalids. A sliawf or^large handker- 

 chietj thrown over the head, is a sufficient protec- 

 tion, and those who do not take this measure, 

 should keep their eyes shut, during Ihe passage, 

 since sparks and cinders are, unavoidably, thrown 

 in closer showers over the passengers here than in 

 the open space. 



To speculate on the normal, physical, political, 

 and economical effects and consequences of rail 

 roads and steam navigation, when carried to their 

 full extent, is beyond my province — perhaps be- 

 yond the bounds of htiman foresight. If the semi- 

 civilized peasants of the remotest isles of the 

 Hebrides, of Orkney, and of Shetland, can even 

 now, transmit, in a few hours, the produce of 

 their huts, their mountains, their moors, and their 

 fu'm-yards, to the markets of Glasgow and Edin- 

 burgh, so as, in three or tour days, to pay the an- 

 nual rents of their tenements and wildernesses, 

 what may we not expect from the extension and 

 perf^'Ction of this facility of intercommunication? 

 In days of yore, the imponderable products of the 

 intellect travelled as slowly as the material mer- 

 chandize of mankind. They will now be difiused, 

 from the centre to the periphery— from the remo- 



