There is a story told by Coleridge about the steam engine which
Trevithick exhibited at work on a temporary railroad in London.
Trevithick and his partner Captain Vivian, prior to this exhibition were
riding on the carriage on the turnpike road near to Plymouth. It had
committed sundry damage in its course, knocking down the rails of a
gentleman’s garden, when Vivian saw the toll-bar in front of them closed
he called to Trevithick to slacken speed which he did just in time to
save the gate. The affrighted toll-keeper instantly opened it. “What
have us got to pay?” asked Captain Vivian, careful as to honesty if
reckless as to grammar.
“Na-na-na-na!” stammered the poor man, trembling in every limb, with his
teeth chattering as if he had got the ague.
“What have us got to pay, I ask?”
“Na-noth-nothing to pay! My de-dear Mr. Devil, do drive as fast as you
can! Nothing to pay!”