d buying off opposition to
railway schemes. He says:--"One noble lord had an estate near a proposed
line of railway, and on this estate was a beautiful mansion. Naturally
averse to the desecration of his home and its neighbourhood, he gave his
most uncompromising opposition to the Bill, and found, in the Committee
of both Houses, sympathizing listeners. Little did it aid the projectors
that they urged that the line did not pass within six miles of that
princely domain; that the high road was much closer to his dwelling; and
that, as the spot nearest the house would be passed by means of a tunnel,
no unsightliness would arise. But no; no worldly consideration affected
the decision of the proprietor; and, arguments failing, it was found that
an appeal must be made to other means. His opposition was ultimately
bought off for twenty-eight thousand pounds, to be paid when the railway
reached his neighbourhood. Time wore on, funds became scarce, and the
company found that it would be best to stop short at a particular portion
of their line, long before they reached the estate of the noble lord who
had so violently opposed their Bill, by which they sought to be released
from the obligation of constructing the line which had been so obnoxious
to him. What was their surprise at finding this very man their chief
opponent, and then fresh means had to be adopted for silencing his
objections!

"A line had to be brought near to the property of a certain Member of
Parliament. It threatened no injury to the estate, either by affecting
its appearance or its intrinsic worth; and, on the other hand, it
afforded him a cheap, convenient, and expeditious means of communication
with the metropolis. But the proprietor, being a legislator, had power
at head-quarters, and by his influence he nearly turned the line of
railway aside; and this deviation would have cost the projectors the sum
of _sixty thousand pounds_. Now it so happened that the house of this
honourable member, who had thus insisted on such costly deference to his
peculiar feelings respecting his property, was afflicted with the dry
rot, and threatened every hour to fall upon the head of its owner. To
pull down and rebuild it, would require the sum of thirty thousand
pounds. The idea of compromise, beneficial to both parties, suggested
itself. If the railway company rebuilt the house, or paid 30,000 pounds
to the owner of the estate, and were allowed to pursue their or