306 THE SURVEY OBSTRUCTED. CHAP. XV. 



We left the honourable baronet without having pro- 

 duced the slightest effect upon him, excepting perhaps, 

 it might be, increased exasperation against our scheme. 

 I could not help observing to my companions as we left 

 the house, ' Well, it is really provoking to find one who 

 has been made a " Sir " for cutting that wen out of 

 George the Fourth's neck, charging us with contem- 

 plating the destruction of the noblesse, because we pro- 

 pose to confer upon him the benefits of a railroad.' ' 



Such being the opposition of the owners of land, 

 it was with the greatest difficulty that an accurate 

 survey of the line could be made. At one point the 

 vigilance of the landowners and their servants was 

 such, that the surveyors were effectually prevented 

 taking the levels by the light of day ; and it was 

 only at length accomplished at night by means of dark 

 lanterns. There was one clergyman, who made such 

 alarming demonstrations of his opposition, that the ex- 

 traordinary expedient was resorted to of surveying his 

 property during the time he was engaged in the pulpit. 

 This was managed by having a strong force of sur- 

 veyors in readiness to commence their operations, who 

 entered the clergyman's grounds on one side the moment 

 they saw him fairly off them on the other. By a well 

 organised and systematic arrangement each man con- 

 cluded his allotted task just as the reverend gentleman 

 concluded his sermon ; so that, before he left the church, 

 the deed was done, and the sinners had all decamped. 

 /Similar opposition was offered at many other points, 

 but ineffectually. The laborious application of Robert 

 Stephenson was such, that in examining the country to 

 ascertain the best line, he walked the whole distance 

 between London and Birmingham upwards of twenty 

 times. He was ably supported by his staff of surveyors 

 under the direction of Mr. Grooch, whose united perse- 

 verance eventually overcame all obstacles ; and by the 

 end of 1831 the requisite plans were deposited prepara- 



