VIA ST. ALBANS 165 



(which, by the way, I have often driven over, behind 

 a four-in-hand, even when the surface of the road- 

 way has been dangerously smooth from frost and 

 traffic) were largely avoided. 



The first attempt at improving the road was to 

 construct a tunnel under the summit of the slope ; 

 and the tale of the works falling in, while the work- 

 men were absent at dinner, was still fresh in 1840, 

 so long did news hold good in rural parts even after 

 the thirties. 



The plan of a tunnel was abandoned in favour of a 

 deep cutting. The great viaduct, about to be recon- 

 structed with steel girders, which crosses this cutting 

 and connects Highgate with Hornsey, gives an idea, 

 by its height, of the elevated crest which had to be 

 removed in forming the new road. In later years 

 another road was made — much of the land alongside 

 which is still unbuilt upon — from the Eegent's Park, 

 through the western part of Hampstead, to the Great 

 North Eoad near the Torrington Arms at Finchley, 

 with the object of shortening the journey to or from 

 the west end of London. This forms a direct way, 

 almost straight as a right line, from Orchard Street 

 in Oxford Street to St. Albans. 



These comparatively modern formations have 

 obliterated every recollection of the original road of 

 all, the road along which in all probability Edward of 

 York and his victorious army swept triumphantly on 

 their return to London after the event of Barnet 

 Field, in 1471. 



