12 



three times as fast, our risk is in very much greater propor- 

 tion. Now in this fast travelling it must not be forgot that 

 in the engines which convey us there are two cylinders, a-nd 

 at least 280 returns of the piston, and therefore there are 

 280 percussions each minute of 92401b. pressure in the power 

 itself; there are also forty-two wheels and axles in each 

 train passing over a joint of the rails every five yards of our 

 journey, the percussions of which are very sensibly felt ; with 

 numberless others of minor effect, by which it will be at once 

 seen of what inestimable importance it is that all iron used 

 for such purposes should not only be strong, but be so under 

 percussion ; for I need only remind you that it is more than 

 probable, should any one of the numerous parts give way, by 

 any one of the many percussions they have to sustain, that 

 an accident of the most calamitous nature would be the result. 



With this view of the subject, I may probably be excused 

 if I so far further trespass on your patience as at least to 

 endeavour to point out a duty which the public only can per- 

 form for itself, namely, to take especial care that protection is 

 given to that class of iron makers whose first aim is to main- 

 tain in its utmost strength the produce of their foundries, re- 

 gardless of the expense of doing so. And in order that it may 

 be understood how far such protection is required, the follow- 

 ing statement should be made known. In the year 1830 the total 

 quantity of pig iron made in Great Britain was about 653,500 

 tons. In 1840 the make had increased to 1,396,400 tons ; 

 and although the stock of pig iron at the latter date was very 

 small, the price of No. 1 had declined since the use of hot air 

 from £8 5s. in 1836, to £5 5s. per ton in 1842 for cold blast 

 iron; and from £7 5s. to £3 12s. 6d. for hot blast iron,* 

 although the workmen's wages throughout this period were 



* I have been informed that No. 1 hot blast iron has been delivered in Leeds 

 for £3 2s. 6d. per ton, the average of former years being £9 10s. per ton for No. 

 1 cold blast pig iron. 



