iS39j Communicaiion in the Carnaiic. %l 



all the advantages of an iron railway, and constitute the one now 

 recommended. 



AVays of the above description, or tram-ways, as they are usually 

 called, have been constructed in Italy of blocks of lava, and at Mar- 

 seilles of granite, and the waggon road laid down by the East India 

 Company, betwixt their docks and warehouses, is constructed of the 

 same materials and upon the same principle. 



It is unnecessary to remark, that the superiority of iron railways 

 over turnpike roads arises solely from their being perfectly level, and 

 smooth, and from their admitting of carriages being so adjusted, as to 

 allow of their being propelled forward with great velocity by means of 

 steam or horse* power, without the chance of escape : now it will at 

 once be obvious, that a granite way gives all that is required in the 

 first instance, and, as the very rapid conveyance of either goods or 

 passengers ought not to be so much the object in this country, as the 

 formation of a smooth, level way, composed of a solid material, and 

 requiring little repair, admitting of the easy passage of carriages, and 

 the consequent great saving of animal labour, the fixing of the carriage 

 on the rail becomes a matter of very secondary importance ; indeed, 

 without that arrangement, it secures all the advantages of an iron 

 railroad, on ivldcli the carriages are dragged hy horse power, as no diffi- 

 culty could be experienced in guiding a horse betwixt, or two bullocks 

 along the two broad level strips of granite forming the road ; and I 

 presume the most sanguine in improvements can hardly anticipate the 

 time when steam power will be used in India for that purpose !f 



On the other hand, tram-ways would not originally cost so much as 

 iron railways, eve7i when constructed under the most favourable cii'cum- 

 stances ; they would require but little superintendence, and could be 

 repaired when necessary by the common workmen of every village. 

 They could with facility be constructed over the Carnatic on the roads 

 at present in use, and, would offer no obstruction to the general traffic 

 of the country, as they might be crossed and recrossed by native bandies 

 without inconvenience or injury. Being adapted for carriages of every 

 description, they would not abruptly interfere witli the customs of the 

 natives, and would, if they were so inclined, leave the transport of goods 

 in their own hands — but, with this manifest advantage, that their oxen 



* On the Edinburgh and Dalkeith raih-oad the carriages are dra;^ged by horse power 

 at the rate of 10 miles an hour. 



t The original cost of a locomotive ersgine is about £800, and the repairs calculated 

 at £1500 per annum '.—Lardner on the Steam Em-iae. 



