EARLY DAYS OF RAILWAYS. 439 



he thought the public mind would be prepared 

 for it. 



The schemes that were then in contemplation, and 

 the opinions that were given by highly scientific 

 and learned persons on the subject of steam-travel- 

 ling on ordinary roads, appear at the present day the 

 visionary projects of enthusiasts, and such as we can 

 scarcely believe to have been entertained with any 

 reasonable prospect of success. On the other hand, it 

 must be borne in mind how exceedingly limited was 

 then the knowledge of the most talented professional 

 men with respect to the development and capabilities 

 of railways. 



In addition to Mr. Gurney, a most implicit believer 

 in the power of steam-engines travelling by road was 

 a Colonel Maceroni, who certaiulyj accomplished a 

 good deal, as he managed to go at the rate of twenty- 

 four miles an hour, or, on an average, twenty. His 

 steam-carriages did not exceed six tons in weight, and 

 were under perfect control, as he was in the habit of 

 running them in and out of London, and one locomo- 

 tive-carriage was regularly worked for some time from 

 Paddington to the Bank, along the New Road, but 

 eventually withdrawn, as it did not pay. The 

 numerous stoppages were greatly to its disad- 

 vantage. 



One difficulty, and. a very serious one,, which 



