Oct.— dec. 1857.] Madras Raihoay. 



73 



one very small) which lie near the route," and observes, that it looks 

 as if the object was to make a Railway not to carry the people. 

 That the towns referred to are all, but one, very small, is a circum- 

 stance sufficient in itself, one would suppose, to account for the 

 fact of which he complains, viz., that no great sacrifice has been 

 made with the view of leading the trunk line of rail through them. 



I have the highest respect for Colonel Cotton's public character 

 and abilities, and of those who will read these remarks there are 

 few probably who do not entertain the same feelings. It is im- 

 possible, that any observations can fall from an Officer of his cha- 

 racter and position, without leaving their impression upon the 

 minds of many, especially of those who have not been accustomed 

 to the consideration of such subjects. 



In reference to the passenger traffic, and in order to show 

 its nature and importance, Colonel Cotton asserts, that it is prov- 

 ed beyond all question, that the passenger traffic is the main source 

 of profit on Railways, and that the great mass of passengers only 

 travel a few miles. 



In the first place, I have never seen the former fact proved, 

 and it is prima-facie opposed to Colonel Cotton's recorded opi- 

 nions, upon the extreme cost of speed — the passenger traffic being 

 carried at a much higher rate than the " goods." It is known too, 

 that in England the receipts from goods have been increasing year 

 by year, faster than those from passengers ; and in the Parliament- 

 ary reports for 1855, it is stated that whilst in 1849, the propor- 

 tion of the passenger traffic* to the goods traffic was as 53 to 47, 

 (the passengers in excess), in 1855, the passenger traffic is repre- 

 sented by 44, and the goods traffic by 56. In Scotland the aver- 

 age receipts for goods traffic are very nearly two-thirds of the total 

 traffic, and it is added "the preponderance of the goods traffic 

 over passenger traffic is more marked in the manufacturing and 

 mineral than in the agricultural districts," that is, in those very 

 places where the collection of men in large towns would lead us 

 to expect the contrary. 



* i, e. the gross receipts. 



