428 THE COACHING AGE. 



which railway companies had been allowed to raise, 

 either by capital, in joint-stock, or by loan, did not 

 amount, to more than £57,788,444, a very trifling 

 sum compared with the amounts which have sub- 

 sequently been sanctioned and since raised. 



The gradual annual increase in the length of 

 railways, as they were from time to time opened, will 

 be seen by these figures : 



In 1843 the number of miles opened were 1,857 



1844 „ „ „ 1,952 



1845 „ .„ „ 2,148 



1846 „ „ „ 2,441 



1847 „ „ „ 3,036 



Thus in the short period of five years the length of 

 the railways available for public service was nearly 

 doubled. All the principal lines out of London had 

 overcome their Parliamentary obstacles, and the 

 companies must have proceeded vigorously with their 

 works, as up to the end of the year 1843 the length 

 of all the railways at that time authorized by Parlia- 

 ment to be constructed was 2,276 miles, and the 

 length opened 1,952 miles, thus showing that the 

 entire length of lines sanctioned by Parliament -had 

 been actually opened, with the exception of the small 

 number of 324 miles. 



Eailway schemes, however, throughout the king- 

 dom continued to be brought out yearly in shoals, 

 and eventually led to the panic which occurred about 



