PETITION 219 



their total and irremediable ruin.^ The present absolute 

 insolvency of nearly all the lines, and the state of 

 the dividends, give ample testimony to the truth of this 

 observation, Nevertheless, if ever that common but 

 cruel maxim, '' Tlie end justifies the means," is to be 

 admitted, this instance may very properly be set down 

 as one. 



The same stranger, with his eyes darkened as to the 

 origin of this vast monument to our riches and glory 

 as a nation, would also fail to perceive the great benefit 

 that would accrue to the revenue, or that could be made 

 available by a skilful and experienced financier, M^ere 

 he to cast his eye on the constant circulation the tide of 

 locomotion creates. 



In my despair of getting either compensation or 

 employment from those Avho were about to supersede 

 me and my calling, I drew up a petition to the 

 House of Commons, and had it engrossed. It was 

 presented by my kind friend, the late Lord Joscelyn, 

 than whom a more amiable nobleman did not exist ; 

 but, like many other petitions of greater or less im- 

 portance, it was ordered to lie on the table. To 

 the petition, which is annexed to this volume, I must 

 refer my readers as to the propriety, as well as the safety 



1 The great distress and ruin that followed the immense issue of 

 scrip for new undertakings, was not inaptly compared, at the time, to 

 the bursting of the South Sea Bubble about a century before ; but in 

 its extent and magnitude it bore the same relative proportion as 

 that 



" To which Diana's marvel was a cell." 

 Or, to make use of a more homely simile — 



" And Milo's ox a pigmy to the friar ! " 



