1839] On Improvivg Internal Communication in the Carnatic. 79 



this our adopted country must regret, that any obstacle should have 

 interfered with the execution of a measure pregnant with such numero us 

 advantages to society. For, putting aside the more obvious and im- 

 mediate benefits which would have been derived from such an es= 

 tablishment; no measure, with the exception of the ditFusion of the 

 English language, would conduce so much to diminish the immense 

 space which exists between the inhabitants of India, and the European, 

 and to inspire a general national feeling throughout the country, as 

 facilitating intercourse betwixt cities and the towns in the provinces i 

 the novelty and cheapness of regular and rapid communication, would 

 induce numbers of inhabitants, who under other circumstances would 

 have remained stationary, to leave their homes, and flock to the capital, 

 where the competition that takes place, the excitement that is con- 

 stantly kept up, the collision of so many minds brought into immediate 

 contact, endeavouring to outstrip each other in their respective depart" 

 ments, developes all the resources of the human mind, and renders a 

 great city a perpetual radiating focus of invention and intelligence."* 



The belief that principles of economy alone, and the little prospect of 

 a direct remuneration commensurate with the great outlay of capital 

 requisite for such an undertaking, influenced the members of Govern- 

 ment in not giving their support, convinced although they must have 

 been of the advantages which would flow from it — has induced ,me to 

 address you, and to advocate a plan, by which all the great objects of 

 such an establishment may be stcured at a comparatively trifling ex- 

 pence, and at the same time is free from the numerous objections which 

 in my opinion are necessarily attendant on iron railroads in India. 



Iron railroads are constructed and maintained at an enormous 

 expence, and are only suited to a country abounding in wealth, and 

 which has arrived at so high a state of civilization as to render time a 

 most valuable consideration and cause celerity of intercourse to be esti- 

 mated beyond all price, and even then will only be attended by success 

 if supported by a large influx of passengers, able and willing to pay for 

 these advantages. For, it must ever be borne in mind that it is still a 

 matter of opinion how far heavy goods can be conveyed along railroads 

 with advantages to the proprietors, and that the great success of those 

 established in England has arisen entirely from the conveyance of 

 passengers. 



In my opinion, which hoxvever T offer with great diffidence, iron rail» 

 roads are not adapted to India, either as regards the present condition 



* M'CuUoch, 



