--_Railway News_.

A RAILWAY PROJECTOR.

In the year 1819, Thomas Gray--a deep thinker with a mind of
comprehensive grasp--was travelling in the North of England when he saw a
train of coal-wagons drawn by steam along a colliery tramroad. "Why," he
questioned the engineer, "are not these tramroads laid down all over
England, so as to supersede our common roads, and steam engines employed
to convey goods and passengers along them, so as to supersede horse
power?" The engineer replied, "Just propose you that to the nation, sir,
and see what you will get by it! Why, sir, you will be worried to death
for your pains." Nothing daunted by this reply, Thomas Gray could
scarcely think or talk upon any other subject. In vision he saw the
country covered with a network of tramroads. Before his time the famous
Duke of Bridgewater might have some misgivings about his canals. It is
related on a certain occasion some one said to him, "You must be making
handsomely out of your canals." "Oh, yes," grumbled he in reply, "they
will last my time, but I don't like the look of these tramroads; there's
mischief in them." Mr. Gray, with prophetic eye, saw the great changes
which the iron railway would make in the means of transit throughout the
civilized world. In 1820 he brought out his now famous work, entitled
"Observations on a General Iron Railway, or Land Steam Conveyance, to
supersede the necessity of horses in all public vehicles; showing its
vast superiority in every respect over all the present pitiful methods of
conveyance by Turnpike-roads, Canals, and Coasting Traders: containing
every species of information relative to Railroads and Locomotive
Engines." The book is illustrated by a plate exhibiting different kinds
of carriages drawn on the railway by locomotives. He evidently
anticipated that the locomotive of the future would be capable of going
at a considerable speed, for on the plate is engraved these lines:--

"No speed with this can fleetest horse compare;
No weight like this canal or vessel bear.
As this will commerce every way promote,
To this let sons of commerce grant their vote."

Mr. Gray in his book exhibits a marvellous insight into the wants and
requirements of the country. He remarks, "The plan might be commenced
between the towns of Manchester and Liverpool, where a trial could soon
be made, as the distance is not very great, and the commercial part of
En