eeper in the employ of the Hessian Railway Company was recently
the hero of an amusing incident. His wife being ill, he went himself to
milk the goat; but the stubborn creature would not let him come near it,
as it had always been accustomed to have this operation performed by its
mistress. After many fruitless efforts, he at length decided to put on
his wife's clothes. The experiment succeeded admirably; but the man had
not time to doff his disguise before a train approached, and the
gatekeeper ran to his accustomed post. His appearance produced quite a
sensation among the officials of the passing train. The case was
reported and an inquiry instituted, which however resulted in his favour,
as the railway authorities granted the honest gate-keeper a gratuity of
ten marks for the faithful discharge of his duties.

THE MARQUIS OF HARTINGTON ON GEORGE STEPHENSON.

The Marquis of Hartington, when laying the foundation stone of a public
hall to be erected in memory of the inventor and practical introducer of
railway locomotion, expressed himself as follows:--"That almost all the
progress which this country has made in the last half-century is mainly
due to the development of the railway system. All the other vast
developments of the power of steam, all the developments of manufacturing
and mining industry would have availed but little for the greatness and
prosperity of this country--in fact they could hardly have existed at all
if there had been wanting those internal communications which have been
furnished by the locomotive engine to railways brought into use by
Stephenson. The changes which have been wrought in the history of our
country by the invention, the industry, and perseverance of one man are
something that we may call astounding. There are some things which
exceed the dreams of poetry and romance. We are justly proud of our
imperial possessions, but the steam engine, and especially the locomotive
steam-engine, the invention of George Stephenson--has not only increased
the number of the Queen's subjects by millions, but has added more
millions to her Majesty's revenues than have been produced by any tax
ever invented by any statesman. Comfort and happiness, prosperity and
plenty, have been brought to every one of her Majesty's subjects by this
invention in far greater abundance than has ever been produced by any
law, the production of the wisest and most patriotic Parliament. The
results of the