350 TRAVELLING BY RAIL. CHAP. XVI. 



being " destroyed," as had been predicted, were im- 

 mensely improved. The farmers were enabled to buy 

 their coals, lime, and manure for less money, while 

 they obtained a readier access to the best markets for 

 their stock and farm-produce. Notwithstanding the 

 predictions to the contrary, their cows gave milk as 

 before, their sheep fed and fattened, and even skittish 

 horses ceased to shy at the passing locomotive. The 

 smoke of the engines did not obscure the sky, nor 

 were farmyards burnt up by the fire thrown from the 

 locomotives. The farming classes were not reduced to 

 beggary ; on the contrary, they soon felt that, so far 

 from having anything to dread, they had very much 

 good to expect from the extension of railways. 



Landlords also found that they could get higher rents 

 for farms situated near a railway than at a distance 

 from one. Hence they became clamorous for " sidings." 

 They felt it to be a grievance to be placed at a distance 

 from a station. After a railway had been once opened, 

 not a landlord would consent to have the line taken 

 from him. Owners who had fought the promoters be- 

 fore Parliament, and compelled them to pass their 

 domains at a distance, at a vastly-increased expense 

 in tunnels and deviations, now petitioned for branches 

 and nearer station accommodation. Those who held 

 property near towns, and had extorted large sums as 

 compensation for the anticipated deterioration in the 

 value of their building land, found a new demand for 

 it springing up at greatly advanced prices. Land was 

 now advertised for sale, with the attraction of being 

 " near a railway station." 



The prediction that, even if railways were made,, the 

 public would not use them, was also completely falsified 

 by the results. The ordinary mode of fast travelling 

 for the middle classes had heretofore been by mail-coach 

 and stage-coach. Those who could not afford to pay 



