noticed them with a view to point out their existence, and to show that the very nature of the system we are advocating, prevents the possibility of their being found in it. We do not think, however, that we should do justice to ourselves if we were not to notice more fully some of the worst of these evils, with the view of ascertaining to what they are attributable, and what hope exists of remedying them. We have no wish, nor unfortunately have we any occasion, to exaggerate the dangers of steam travelling. Not a newspaper but teems with arguments the most cogent, the most appalling, in favour of a change of system. We may be told that these arguments have been listened to; that the attention of the Legislature has been called to the subject, and that consequently steps will be taken so as to entirely prevent the recurrence of the deplorable sacrifices of human life. We answer, that it is impossible. The fault is in the system ; and no legislative enactments, however stringent, can remedy it. We have no need of assertion to prove this position. The Report of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Directors, and adopted by the general meeting of railway proprietors at Birmingham, on the best means of preventing accidents on the lines, has just been published, and we desire no other arguments to support our views than the opinions put forth by these Directors, who must be admitted, from their great experience, to be competent judges of the question, and whose interest is

too deeply concerned to allow them to exaggerate the evils they comment upon. The following is the substance of their Report.

"In considering the subject of the various ac"cidents which have recently taken place on dif"ferent railways, and the different circumstances connected with each accident, it appears that they "are attributable to one or more of the following

causes :

First. The want or insufficiency of signal lights, 'giving warning of danger.

"Second. Neglect on the part of engine-men of "such signals when given, comprehending a culpable want of care and vigilance in not keeping a good look-out; and,

"Third. The difficulty of stopping a train when danger is perceived near at hand."

With respect to the first cause the Committee are of opinion," that the printed rules and regula"tions of this Company, which have been brought "under the consideration of many other companies, "and, as your Committee believe, constitute the "basis and tenor of their respective regulations,

are, on the whole, well calculated to answer "the purposes intended. One modification seems desirable, viz., that the red light or the red flag "should, in all cases, and under all circumstances, "be viewed as a warning against danger."

As to the second point; "the Committee can only recommend great care in the selection of

"active steady men in the first instance.

Good wages, and a considerate regard to their comforts so long as they do their duty; accompanied by "the strictest discipline, and by uniformly putting "in force the provisions of Lord Seymour's Act in

cases of any neglect of duty or disobedience of "orders, hazarding the safety of life or property, "although no loss of either should take place."

"With respect to the third point under review, "the difficulty of promptly stopping trains when danger is perceived, the most efficient means "hitherto employed are immediately to reverse the

engine, and put on the tender break. Great care "should be taken by the engineers that the reversing gear is of the most improved construction, not "liable to get out of order, and which cannot fail to act when the reversing lever is applied. . . "With regard to the numerous proposals of improvements and schemes for the prevention of "accidents by mechanical means, if that unceasing vigilance which cannot be too strongly insisted upon on the part of the engine-driver should "be at any time relaxed, those who have not been long conversant with the practical working of a

railway can hardly be aware how many of them "have been long since, and under various forms, already tried, and found to be attended with risks "and inconveniences more than compensating for any supposed advantage.'

The Committee strongly deprecate the idea of

relieving, the engine-man from "the responsible

charge of his engine " by appointing a "conductor "of a higher standing and superior acquirements, "whose special business it should be to look out, "and under whose orders the engine-man should "act.

By introducing another man on the engine you "have another pair of eyes to look out; but this "advantage, if it be one, might be more than coun"tervailed by the divided authority and responsibility which must inevitably take place.

"Jealousy, and disunion, it is to be feared, would frequently arise. These would be destructive of "confidence in their own resources to the men

themselves, and fraught with danger to the whole "train. As to the necessity for superior acquire"ments or professional skill, there is no evidence

of a single accident having occurred owing to the "want of these qualifications. The desiderata are "constant vigilance and presence of mind in emer... gencies; and your Committee are of opinion that no man, however professionally competent, ought to be trusted with the charge of an engine till he "has served an apprenticeship to the business, and "has thus become familiar with the rapidity of the "locomotive engine and its consequent excitement, "with its severe exposure to the weather, with the "customs and practice of railway operations, and "with all the contingencies of locomotive transit regarding police regulations, signals, &c."

D

Such are the only means recommended by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Committee, with a view to get rid of the dangers attendant on this method of travelling; and we really believe that these gentlemen have suggested all that can be done; and if all railway accidents, or the greater number of them, were attributable to carelessness and neglect on the part of the engine-drivers, their suggestion would go far to remedy the evil. But here we contend they are greatly mistaken; the fault is in the system, not in the men. It is quite true that the evidence produced at many of the inquests puts beyond doubt the fact, that the necessary signals have on those occasions been made and must have been seen; yet no attention appears to have been paid, and the most disastrous consequences have been the inevitable result. But does it follow that this inattention on the part of the conductor has been the result of wilful neglect? Can it be for a moment believed that any man would thus rush headlong into danger, to the almost certain destruction of his own life, and the imminent hazard of those committed to his care? Common sense repudiates the thought. Nothing short of madness could lead to such gross acts of crime and folly. Let us next consider the circumstances under which these accidents occur, and it will be readily seen that they may be accounted for much more satisfactorily. Many alternatives must be rejected before having recourse to the insanity of the engine-drivers for