916 Transactions of the American Institute. 



in New York. When we reflect to what extent our streets are 

 obstructed by the laying of a gas pipe, the repairing of a sewer, or 

 the excavation of a large cellar, what blockades may not be expected 

 •during the time of opening a great cut of dimensions wide and 

 deep enough to admit laying a double track and bed, and covering it 

 with solid masonry laid in water-proof cement. That an elevated 

 road can be built airy, light, and yet substantial, would seem practicable. 

 And when the economical features, both in construction and operation, 

 are compared with an underground road, they will doubtless be con- 

 siderations that will commend it to public favor on the borders of the 

 city, for realizing greater safety, economy, and expedition, thstn can 

 be obtained by any other locomotion. By the introduction of vulcanized 

 rubber or elastic tire uj)on the car wheels, the working of the system 

 will be comparatively noiseless, and better adhesion and traction 

 attained. 



The Objections Answered, 



' ""It will be urged by some that cars moving rapidly on the elevated 

 ways will frighten horses. When railroads tirst began to invade the 

 rural districts, they were opposed by the same objection. Farmers 

 everywhere met the surveyors and engineers, exploring for locations, 

 with the prohibitory injunction, "thus far and no farther shall you 

 come," It was declared that it would be impossible to drive a horse 

 upon a public highway within sight of a screeching lo^comotive and 

 its train. A horse, like some men, will scare at anything new, but 

 botli easily become use to it. Midst the din and smoke of battle 

 cavalry horses become unterriiied as readily as their riders. Who 

 has seen the noble steeds attaclied to city fire-engines dashing along 

 the streets, and not had a greater admiration iov good horse sense ? 

 Who has observed spirited spans at railway depots, as trains came 

 thundering in, and not liad tlie thought confirmed, that next to a good 

 woman a line horse is the most admirable gift vouchsafed by God to 

 man ? 



CONCLVSKW. 



In this plan for an elevated railway and pneumatic dispatch, special 

 attention has been given also to minor details. As along each thorough- 

 fare lines of telegraph poles are established, a neat frame-work is 

 provided at intervals over the cars, to wliich all wires may be trans- 

 ferred, without changing their tension or interrupting their use, when- 

 ever it becomes necessary to remove one or more of the poles. 



