280 ARRIVAL OF THE TRAINS AT MANCHESTER. CHAP. XIV. 



The accident threw a gloom over the rest of the day's 

 proceedings. The Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert 

 Peel expressed a wish that the procession should return 

 to Liverpool. It was, however, represented to them 

 that a vast concourse of people had assembled at Man- 

 chester to witness the arrival of the trains ; that report 

 would exaggerate the mischief, if they did not complete 

 the journey ; and that a false panic on that day might 

 seriously affect future railway travelling and the value 

 of the Company's property. The party consented ac- 

 cordingly to proceed to Manchester, but on the under- 

 standing that they should return as soon as possible, 

 and refrain from further festivity. 



As the trains approached Manchester, crowds of 

 people were found covering the banks, the slopes of 

 the cuttings, and even the railway itself. The multitude, 

 become impatient and excited by the rumours which 

 reached them, had outflanked the military, and all 

 order was at an end. The people clambered about the 

 carriages, holding on by the door handles, and many 

 were tumbled over ; but, happily, no fatal accident 

 occurred. At the Manchester station, the political ele- 

 ment began to display itself ; placards about " Peterloo," 

 &c., were exhibited, and brickbats were thrown at the 

 carriage containing the Duke. On the carriages coming 

 to a stand in the Manchester station the Duke did not 

 descend, but remained seated, shaking hands with the 

 women and children who were pushed forward by the 

 crowd. Shortly after, the trains returned to Liverpool, 

 which they reached, after considerable interruptions, in 

 the dark, at a late hour. 



On the following morning the railway was opened 

 for public traffic. The first train of 140 passengers was 

 booked and sent on to Manchester, reaching it in the 

 allotted time of two hours ; and from that time the 

 traffic has regularly proceeded from day to day until 

 now. 



