[Illustration: THE LAST NEW RAILWAY SCHEME.
Our modern projectors having exhausted the old world of railways above
ground, have invented a new world of a subterranean kind, in which they
propose to construct lines "under the present wide, leading streets of
London" This is a magnificent notion for relieving the over-crowded
thoroughfares, and at the same time relieving any particularly
over-crowded pocket from its oppressive burden. The prospectus states
that the thing "can be accomplished without any serious engineering
difficulties." The difficulties, instead of being serious, will, we
suppose, be merely laughable. If any great dilemma should arise, it
will of course be overcome by a little jocularity.
We understand that a survey has already been made, and that many of
the inhabitants along the line have expressed their readiness to place
their coal-cellars at the disposal of the company. It is believed that
much expense may be saved by taking advantage of areas, kitchens, and
coal-holes already made, through which the trains may run without much
inconvenience to the owners, by making a judicious arrangement of the
time-table. It will certainly be awkward if a family should be waiting
for a scuttle of coals, and should not be able to get it until after
the train had gone by; but a little domestic foresight, seconded by
railway punctuality, will obviate all annoyances of this kind.
As the contemplated railway must in several places by carried through
the sides and centre of a street, it will be necessary to arrange with
the gas and water companies, so that they may all co-operate in this
great national work. If the atmospheric principle should be adopted,
arrangements could perhaps be entered into to obtain the use of the
principal main belonging to the water-works as a continuous valve;
for if we are to judge by the arrangements on the Croydon line, this
continuous valve is a tremendous pipe, which merely lies in the middle
of the line without being used.
The Sewers, by the way, would, with a little enlargement answer all the
purposes of the projectors of this scheme. It is true they are half
full of water; but this would not prevent the carriages from being
propelled, and the wheels might be sufficiently high to keep the bodies
of the carriages and the feet of the passengers out of the wet.
Considering the frequent stoppages of the existing thoroughfares, the
scheme really seems to deserve encouragement. "Nothing is wanted" says
the prospectus, "for this grand undertaking, but public support." If
the people will only come down with their money, we should not wonder
at seeing the company get as far as half-a-dozen advertisements in the
daily papers, and a brass plate in the City. Those who are disposed
to sink a little capital cannot do better than bury it under the
Metropolis in the manner proposed.
We perceive that no amount of deposit is named, and nothing is said of
the number or nominal value of the shares. The Secretary is announced
to be in attendance to receive deposits from eleven to two: though,
whether he gets any is, in our opinion, ten to one.