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AN ENGLISHMAN'S OPINION OF RAILWAYS. 



An intelligent writer of the present day thus describes his feelings: 

 " A pleasurable wonder takes possession of the mind as we glide along 

 at a speed equal to the gallop of a race horse. It may be supposed that 

 so great a speed would almost deprive the traveller of breath, and that 

 he could not fail to be unpleasantly conscious of the velocity with which 

 he cuts through the air. The reverse is, however, the case; the motion is 

 so uniform, and so entirely free from the shaking occasioned by the 

 inequality or friction of common roads, that the passenger can scarcely 

 credit he is really passing over the ground at such a rapid pace ; and it 

 is only when meeting another train that he is fully aware of the velocity 

 of his career. The novelty of the scene is delightful: now, where the 

 natural surface of the ground is highest, we travel embosomed in deep 

 recesses; and then, where the ordinary course of the road would lead 

 through a valley, we " ride above the tops of the trees," and look down 

 upon the surrounding country. The reflecting traveller probably fallg 

 into a pleasing vision, arising out of the triumph of human art. He sees 

 the period fast approaching, when the remotest part of his own country 

 shall be brought into easy and rapid communication ; and he looks beyond 

 this probable event of a few years, to the more distant day, when other 

 nations shall emulate these gigantic works of peace. He sees the evils 

 arising out of the difference of language, and soil, and climate, all 

 vanishing before the desire of mankind for peaceful and commercial 

 intercourse; and as he knows that the prejudices, and mistaken interests, 

 which separate one district of the same nation from another, are broken 

 down by such noble inventions as these; he feels that the same spirit of 

 civilization which, results from the exercise of our reason (which is 

 bestowed by a beneficent Providence), will eventually render all men as 

 brethren and children of one great Father." 



And now for 



A YANKEE'S OPINION OP RAILROADS. " I like railroads any one can 

 hate railroads, despise railroads, and rail at railroads but I like railroads. 

 I like to arrive at the railroad-office a quarter of an hour before starting: 

 1 like to be shewn into a nice warm room, where a quarter-of-an-hour 

 passes quicker than five minutes in a dirty coach-office, or a coffee-room, 

 where the waiters try to look you into a glass of brandy and water, for 

 the sake of the house, or out of a sixpence for the sake of themselves. I 



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