or
their folly. Sheridan's most brilliant speeches, and Urquhart's most
undeniable failures in the House of Commons, were both due to the borough of
Stafford. It is, in fact, a stepping-stone to the House of Commons, always
ready for the highest bidder and promiser, but whoever would sit for Stafford
for a series of Parliaments, would need the use of the Philosopher's Stone.
The independent electors would exhaust California if they had the chance.

As the Stafford shoemakers, to the deep disappointment of its agricultural
neighbours, have not yet been ruined by the influx of foreign boots and
shoes, its chief interest at present is derived from its being the point from
which several important railways radiate.

* * * * *

STAFFORD TO MANCHESTER.--Beside the old Grand Junction line to Crewe, the
Trent Valley line, about which we intend to say a few words on our return
journey, ends, strictly speaking, at Stafford, after passing by Atherston,
Tamworth, and Lichfield; but, since the construction of the North
Staffordshire, which joins the Trent Valley at Colewich, the most direct way
to Manchester is through the pottery district and Macclesfield, instead of by
Stafford and Crewe. Direct lines have generally proved a great mistake,
except so far as they have accommodated the local traffic through which they
passed. To the shareholders they have been most unprofitable wherever the
original shareholders were not lucky enough to bully the main lines into a
lease, and, to the average of travellers very inconvenient, by dividing
accommodation. But shareholders should look at the local traffic of a
proposed direct line, on which alone good dividends can be earned.

These direct projects were partly the result of the imperfect manner in
which, in consequence of opposition and from want of experience, the original
main branch lines were executed, and partly in that plethora of money, which,
in this thriving country, must be relieved from time to time by the bleeding
of ingenious schemers. We are enjoying, in this year of 1851, the advantages
derived from money spent, and lost to the spenders, in our own country
instead of being sunk in Greek or Spanish bonds, South American mines, or the
banks and public works of the United States.

At one period, in the height of the ten per cent. mania, a school of railway
economists sprang up which advocated placing the construction and the profits
of railways in the hands of government