TRAIN- SIGNALLING IN THEORY AND PRACTICE. 291 
levers_, thirty-two in number^ bright and clean from constant 
nse and careful tendings each one labelled for its respective 
duty. Before him, to the right and “ left, are the various 
Electro-Magnetic Semaphores, each one in full view and ad- 
justed in position to the pair of roads to which it is appro- 
priated, and all furnished with porcelain labels. Direct in 
front of him is a screen, along which are arranged the 
various semaphore keys ; and on brackets, discreetly dis- 
tributed, are the bells and gongs, the twin companions 
each of its own semaphore. Before the screen are the 
writing-desk and books ; and here stands the youngster, the 
ministering spirit, all on the alert, to take or to send electric 
signals, and to record them — his time and attention being 
devoted alternately to his semaphore keys and to his books ; 
being immediately under the eye and control of the signal- 
man. This is no place for visitors ; and the scenes enacted 
here have little chance of meeting the public gaze; indeed, 
the officers whose duties take them hither occasionally, are only 
too glad to look on and say as little as may be, and not inter- 
rupt the active pair, between whom there is evidently a good 
understanding in the discharge of duties, upon the accurate 
performance of which so much depends. Looking* on, the 
man will be seen in command of his rank-and-file ; — signals 
come, are heard and seen both by man and boy ; levers 
are drawn and withdrawn, one, tvv^o, three, or more ; the 
arms and lamps on the gigantic masts outside, of which 
there are three well laden, are displayed as required, — distant 
signals are moved, points are shifted and roads made ready, 
telegraph signals are acknowledged ; and on looking out — for 
the box is glazed throughout — trains are seen moving in accord- 
ance with the signals made; and an the signal-posts at the- 
boxes right and left, for here they are within easy reach 
of each other, arms are seen up and down, in sympathy with 
those on the spot and with the telegraph signals that have 
been interchanged. There is no cessation to this work, and there 
is no confusion in it ; one head and hand directs the whole, so 
that there are no conflicting interests and no misunderstand- 
ings ; all is done in perfect tranquillity ; and the great secret is 
that one thing is done at a time. All this, which is so simple 
and so full of meaning to the expert, is to the uninitiated intri- 
cate and vague ; and though he cannot at first even follow 
the description of the several processes, so rapidly are they 
begun and ended ; yet as the cloud leaves him, and his ideas 
become clearer, he cannot fail to be gratified and to be filled 
Yirith admiration at the great results that are brought about 
by means so simple. 
VOL. IV. NO. XV. 
X 
