160 
That cautious inquirer is not, however, yet satisfied. He 
asks “if during contraction an increase of strain produces 
an increase in the total chemical processes (metamorphosis) 
of the muscle, are we to think that the effect of the 
strain ceases to be felt immediately the contraction is 
finished, and is not carried on into the period of re- 
laxation ? 
And moreover, putting the matter to an experimental 
inquiry, he finds, as a matter of fact, that when two 
muscles are treated as in Fick’s experiment, one strained 
at all times, and the other strained only during contraction, 
the amount of chemical change taking place in the first, 
as evidenced by the generation of acid, is distinctly larger 
than in the second. So there the question remains for 
the present, 
THE PROFZECTED CHANNEL RAILWAYS 
qe first question to be asked about a railway 
between England and France would be properly one 
upon its importance, and on the value of such a railway 
to the social and commercial interests of the two countries. 
Let us consider the present situation and the circum- 
stances which would affect, favourably or otherwise, a 
Channel Railway. 
A sheet of water, impassable at all times to the bulk of 
a people, although a highway of their sailors, is a most 
effectual barrier between two countries. Free inter- 
course is checked; the exchange of ideas and thought 
limited to a small class of traders and travellers, not to 
mention the learned, who in all countries form but a 
minority of the people. 
Two nations so situated are generally cold towards each 
other, and in time materially differ in their mode of 
living, in their ideas, habits, and in their institutions. A 
free intercourse need not necessarily obliterate the peculi- 
arities of different races; but it has always been an 
effective means of moderating prejudices. 
To attempt a description of the numerous and subtle 
ways by which the mind of populations may be taken 
hold of—and even be guided—would be beyond our 
present object; but as a means of self-education 
and consequent civilisation, there could not be a more 
powerful instrument than railways, because they offer the 
readiest, most convenient, and the cheapest means of 
communication between one individual and another. 
Half-a-century ago the bulk of a nation was enclosed 
within its own walls; only a small minority could afford 
to travel and to observe, fo exchange and to induce thought. 
That in which all schools must necessarily fail, or at least 
can succeed but indifferently—viz., the education of the 
million—railways are accomplishing with extraordinary 
rapidity; their civilising influence is constantly at work : 
they cover England more than any other country, and 
accordingly England derives all the benefit which that 
institution may confer on a people. Railways are also in 
a great measure covering France, Belgium, Germany, &c. ; 
but there is an essential ditference between the effect 
which they may produce in England and on the Conti- 
nent. In England they interchange and mix the ideas 
and habits principally of the Anglo-Saxon race, some 
twenty odd millions; on the Continent they cause to 
mingle several great nations of different race: certainly 
NATURE 
more than sixty millions are there under the operation 
of railways as an institution. 
The civilising influence of railways is, in’ England, 
accordingly confined to one groove —one main Anglo- 
Saxon line—and the effect on the English people cannot 
but remain elementary : on the Continent, however, their 
civilising power derives its material from several distinct 
and essentially different sources, viz., the Teutonic and Gallic 
races, and some others of minor consequence, the material 
of which, interwoven and allied by the affinity of thought, 
forms a compound of a different nature and character, 
differing as much as compounds differ from their elements. 
That these causes have been in operation in the manner 
indicated, we may easily trace in the relative progress 
made within one generation in England and on 
the Continent. When railways were in their infancy, 
England was, in her institutions and industry, much 
ahead of any country. Railways have improved the 
condition of every people, but has the improvement not 
been very much greater on the Continent? It may be 
urged, that there was more room for improvement in those 
countries ; that may be so, but this would not affect the case, 
for there was and is room enough for improvement at home. 
Within one generation railways have produced wonder- 
ful revolutions on the Continent. The despotic govern- 
ments of several great nations have given way to truly 
liberal institutions ; continental industry rivals already 
that of England. And how was all that brought about ? 
The immediate causes of these changes may seem in- 
numerable; and yet, there is only one great cause at 
the bottom of all this change, viz. enlightenment of the 
people; and we claim a large share of this result for the 
institution of railways. 
If, then, the combination of thought originating from 
different sources has so much advanced and civilised the 
Continent, what would be the effect upon England if a 
railway could suddenly bring the bulk of her people in 
close contact with the continental nations? A more com- 
plex, a higher compound would be formed, and what 
the ultimate effect of this change might be the future alone 
could tell; all that can be said with certainty at present 
is this, that evdightenment must follow in a potential form. 
Excursion trains would take the million to and from 
either country ; excursions to and from Paris would be 
made with the same convenience and comfort as now 
between Manchester, Liverpool, London, and other large 
towns ; in short, the social effect of the change would 
be immense ; and how would it affect the commercial 
interests? Enough has already been said to show that a 
channel railway in good working condition would accom- 
plish wonders, and it may be easily perceived that, thoughall 
will be gainers by the change, England would gain the most. 
This being so, then, the next point is to analyse the 
different projects which have been proposed for bringing 
the result about. Among these, the Bridge scheme has 
naturally received considerable public attention. To the 
non-professional mind it appears a plausible proposition, 
and enough support has been given to its promoters to 
enable them to promise wonders. 
We have no definite plan of the proposed bridge, but we 
have a Channel Bridge Company; we have not even a de- 
finite outline of the main engineering features, but we have 
the assurance of the success of amodel which, in the opinion 
