_Interim Secretary_--ROBERT M'CORKINDALE, Esq.

"The necessity of a direct line of Railway communication through
the fertile and populous district known as the VALLEY of
GLENMUTCHKIN, has been long felt and universally acknowledged.
Independent of the surpassing grandeur of its mountain scenery,
which shall immediately be referred to, and other considerations
of even greater importance, GLENMUTCHKIN is known to the
capitalist as the most important BREEDING STATION in the
Highlands of Scotland, and indeed as the great emporium from
which the southern markets are supplied. It has been calculated
by a most eminent authority, that every acre in the strath is
capable of rearing twenty head of cattle; and, as has been
ascertained after a careful admeasurement, that there are not
less than TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND improvable acres immediately
contiguous to the proposed line of Railway, it may confidently be
assumed that the number of cattle to be conveyed along the line
will amount to FOUR MILLIONS annually, which, at the lowest
estimate, would yield a revenue larger, in proportion to the
capital subscribed, than that of any Railway as yet completed
within the United Kingdom. From this estimate the traffic in
Sheep and Goats, with which the mountains are literally covered,
has been carefully excluded, it having been found quite
impossible (from its extent) to compute the actual revenue to be
drawn from that most important branch. It may, however, be
roughly assumed as from seventeen to nineteen _per cent_ upon the
whole, after deduction of the working expenses.

"The population of Glenmutchkin is extremely dense. Its situation
on the west coast has afforded it the means of direct
communication with America, of which for many years the
inhabitants have actively availed themselves. Indeed the amount
of exportation of live stock from this part of the Highlands to
the Western continent, has more than once attracted the
attention of Parliament. The Manufactures are large and
comprehensive, and include the most famous distilleries in the
world. The Minerals are most abundant, and amongst these may be
reckoned quartz, porphyry, felspar, malachite, manganese, and
basalt.

"At the foot of the valley, and close to the sea, lies the
importa