with the silver spade placed in the
wheelbarrow provided by the contractor, and wheeled by her along the
planks laid on the ground, in a very graceful manner. Her ladyship
performed the ceremony amidst the deafening applause of the assembled
multitude. Afterwards other ladies and gentlemen, including the
directors, contractors, engineers, etc., went through the same ceremony,
using a common wheelbarrow.

"The wheelbarrow, made of mahogany, was emblazoned with the seal of the
company, while on the silver spade was engraved the following:--

"Presented to Lady Watkin Williams Wynn, by the Contractor of the
Oswestry and Newtown Railway, on the occasion of turning the first
sod, at Welchpool, on Tuesday, the 4th of August, 1857."

"Under the inscription was a copy of the seal of the company."

Subsequently a "cold collation" was provided in a tent on the Bowling
Green; there was a prolific toasting of everybody, or nearly everybody
concerned, and what was felt to be one of the most auspicious days in the
annals of Powysland closed with rural sports and dancing. That night the
shareholders dreamt of prodigious dividends.

CHAPTER IV. OSWESTRY TO NEWTOWN.

"_But a child_,
_Yet in a go-cart. Patience; give it time_
_There is a hand that guides_.

--BENNETT COLL.

It is easy to-day to smile at the optimism of our grand-fathers. We know
now that railway dividends are not as readily earned in real life as they
sometimes are in dreams which follow gorgeous banquets; but, in one
respect, at any rate, the future of the Oswestry and Newtown undertaking
appeared to justify jubilation. Axes had been, at any rate, temporarily
buried; the advocates of rival routes had composed their differences and
everything pointed to a rapid consummation of the scheme. As a matter of
fact, little delay was experienced in getting to work with the actual
construction. Before October opened gangs of labourers were busy on the
track between Pant and Llandysilio. The original idea of a broad gauge
line, similar to that adopted by Brunel on the Great Western's southern
arm, had been abandoned in favour of what has since become the standard
one for this country of 4ft. 8.5 ins. {40}

Nevertheless, it was no small undertaking. The Vyrnwy had to be crossed
at Llanymynech and the Severn at Pool Quay and again near Buttington.
The rest of the line was comparatively free from serious engineering
pro