S TA GE CO A CH, PA CKE 7\ AA'D RAIL WAY. 4 5 T 



themselves into the cars, and returned to Hinghani, where, in one 

 of the most beautiful station buildings in the country, they were 

 invited to another " light repast." It was light in regard to the 

 illumination, but quite substantial as to the amount of sponge 

 cake and coffee — nothing stronger. Indeed the whole jollifica- 

 tion was on temperance principles, and the very wittiest men used 

 nothing but cold water. 



At seven o'clock the whole party, having enjoyed the best pos- 

 sible time of it, — a brand new edition of toasts, jokes, and com- 

 pliments being got out at Hingham, — returned to Boston by eight. 



It was a capital sentiment offered by David Kimball, brother of 

 the Museum man : " The ituprovement of traveling and colla- 

 tions, the for?fier with steam and the latter without." 



Such grand railroad doings without liquor speak well for 

 Massachusetts, God bless her ! 



The trains were run but twice each day inward and 

 twice outward, making the distance of twelve miles from 

 Cohasset to Braintree in about half an hour. The 

 engine rested at Braintree to bring back the cars on 

 their return from Boston. Such a locomotive, weighing 

 less than half our present ones, and burning cord wood to 

 make steam, would be amusing to-day ; and the two pas- 

 senger cars were the kind now contemptuously known as 

 " cattle cars." Baggage was carried in a combination car — 

 one half for smokers. In the summer time we had as many 

 as three trips of our train each way daily except Sundays, 

 leaving Cohasset at 6.35 and 9.55 a.m. and at 5.20 p.m.* The 

 same cars came back again, leaving Boston at 8. 10 a.m. 

 and at 2.45 and 6.40 p.m. The departure of our trains was 

 announced by a bell in one of the towers of the station, 

 ringing at fifteen minutes before the engine started and 

 again at five minutes before. The people of Scituate and 

 Marshfield were accommodated by the stages which made 

 connection with the trains at Cohasset. From the begin- 

 ning there were some Scituate men eager for a railroad, and 



* Taken from time table, Boston, April 25, 1856. 



