us the Lancashire
and Yorkshire Company's double line of rails was completely blocked
up--one line by their own train, and the other by the stone train of the
East Lancashire Company. In this position matters remained till near 12
o'clock. There were altogether eight trains on the double lines of rails
of the two companies, extending more than half a mile. After which the
blockade was broken up, and the various trains were allowed to pass
onwards--fortunately without accident or injury to the passengers.

--_Manchester Examiner_, March 13th, 1849.

GOODS' COMPETITION.

Within the last fortnight, we understand, the London and North-Western,
in conjunction with the Lancashire and Yorkshire, have commenced carrying
goods between Liverpool and Manchester, a distance of 31 miles, at the
ruinously low figure of 6d. per ton, where they used to have 8s. We
further hear that the 6d. includes the expenses of collection and
delivery. The cause is a competition with the East Lancashire and the
canal. At a very low estimate it has been calculated that every ton
costs 6s. 3d., so that they are losing 5s. 9d. on every 6d. earned, or
860 per cent.

How long this monstrous competition is to continue the directors only
know, but the loss must be frightful on both sides. Chaplin and Horne
had 10s. a ton for collecting and delivering the goods at the London end
of the London and North-Western Railway, and, though the expense must be
less in such comparatively small towns as Liverpool and Manchester, it
can hardly be less than a half that, 5s. Therefore, allowing only 1s.
3d. for the bare railway carriage, which is under a halfpenny a ton a
mile, we have 6s. 3d., the estimate showing the above-mentioned loss of
5s. 9d. on every 6d. earned.

--_Herepath's Journal_, Sept. 29th, 1849.

A POLITE REQUEST.

An amusing illustration of the formal politeness of a railway guard
occurred some years ago at the Reigate station. He went to the window of
a first class carriage, and said: "If you please, sir, will you have the
goodness to change your carriage here?" "What for?" was the gruff reply
of Mr. Bull within. "Because, sir, if you please, the wheel has been on
fire since half-way from the last station!" John looked out; the wheel
was sending forth a cloud of smoke, and without waiting to require any
further "persuasive influences," he lost no time in