RAILWAY DIRECTORS. 233 



away their very means of existence, 

 many were driven to the most abject 

 poverty, and some few, in despair, com- 

 mitted suicide. 



For myself every exertion was made 

 by my friends on the line of road to 

 obtain for me employment. Testimonials 

 were got up and signed by almost all the 

 nobility and gentry in the two Counties. 

 This the directors could not refuse to 

 notice, and I was called one hundred 

 miles before their board, when a sharp- 

 visaged, evil-eyed worthy, who acted as 

 chairman, told me very coolly without 

 the least feeling or remorse at thus 

 plunging a whole family in destitution, 

 for aught he knew that the directors had 

 decided upon not employing any one who 

 had, or ever had, anything to do with 

 stage-coach business. He then dismissed 

 me, without offering to pay my expenses, 

 or compensating me for the loss of time 

 I had incurred by attending his summons. 



