morning, and to make good fastenings, etc., afterwards
superintending his gang in packing, replacing rails, sleepers, and other
necessary repairs. Over the ganger is the inspector of permanent way,
responsible for the gangers doing their duty, who generally goes over all
his district once a day on the engine, and walks one or more gangers'
beats. The inspectors, again, are under the district superintendent or
engineer, who makes frequent inspections both by walking and on the
engine. The ganger, if in want of men or materials, reports to his
inspector, who, if they are required, sends a requisition to the
engineer, keeping a small stock at his head-quarters to supply urgent
demands. The engineer in his turn keeps the whole in harmony,
sanctioning the employment of the necessary men, and ordering the
materials, the only check upon the number of men or quantity of materials
being the total half-yearly expenditure. Directors never within my
experience grudge an outlay necessary to keep the line in good order;
but, should they limit the expenditure from financial motives, it would
then clearly be the duty of the engineer to recommend a reduction of
speed to a safe point. Occasionally, idle gangers are met with, who are
always asking for more men, and as naturally meeting with refusal.

THE NUMBER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY.

Lord Lymington, M.P., relates the following amusing tale of his
experience with an inquiring and hospitable gentleman in Arkansas:--"He
introduced himself to me very kindly on learning that I was a traveller
and an Englishman, and offered me the hospitalities of the town. It was
very obliging of him, but unfortunately I could not stay, so we had a
chat while I was waiting for the train. During this chat his eye fell on
a portmanteau of mine which I had caused to be marked, for convenience
sake and easy identification, with the cabalistic figures 120. This he
scanned for some time with ill-concealed curiosity, and finally, turning
to me, said rather abruptly, 'If I am not mistaken, you are a nobleman,
are you not?' I admitted that such was my unhappy lot. 'Then,' he said,
'I presume that number there on your valise is what they call in the
nobility armorial bearings, is it not--in fact, your crest?' 'Hardly
that,' I modestly replied. 'A number is only borne as a crest, I
believe, by much more illustrious persons--for example, the Beast in the
Apocalypse.' 'Oh!' he replied, and then, af