On Mail-Roads . 
31 
Other actual cases might be given, but these will suf 
lice to show the great saving of animal force. 
From these cases, and the known laws of mechanics, 
we may perhaps safely infer, that where the apparatus is 
tolerably well constructed, and the slope ten feet per 
mile, one horse may draw live tons upwards, and seven 
tons downwards. Now, if I am rightly informed, horses 
at present draw from Sanquhar to Dumfries only about 9| 
cwt. of coal at an average each. But say half a ton : then, 
on the slope stated above, one horse would, taking weight 
upward, do the work of ten on the turnpike road, and 
downward, of fourteen. Hence, in this point of view, it 
may be said that a rail -way would bring the coal mines 
ten times, at least, nearer to Dumfries than they are at 
present. 
The principal rail- ways in England and Wales, a short 
time ago, were— the Cardiff and Merthyr , miles 
long ; runs very nearly by the side of the Glamorganshire 
canal. 
The Caermarthenshire.— In the deep cuttings for this 
rail-way, several unknown veins of coal were discovered, 
and some of lead ore. 
The Serhowry , twenty-eight miles, in the counties of 
Monmouth and Brecknock.-— The Surry , twenty. six 
miles. 
The Swansey and Oystermouth , 71 miles ; and many 
others, as branches to canals. Since these were exe- 
cuted, many have been added, and they are daily in- 
creasing in number. 
In Scotland they have been long used about some of 
the coal works, and are now fast increasing. A public 
rail-way is now nearly completed between Kilmarnock 
and the Troon harbour. 
