OF RAltS-ROADS.

CHAPTER II.

HISTORY AND PROGRF.SS OF RAIL-ROADS.

It is very difficult to trace the precise datewhen Rail-ways were lirst introduced intoGreat Britain . When the traffic consisted ol’various articles, to be conveyed in numerousdirections, the difficulty of forming a roadsuitable for all parties, and the expence ofbranching it off to all the different parts wherethe goods were to be carried, would operate toprevent the introduction of Rail-roads, as aspecies of general communication.

The more probable supposition is, thatthe adoption of these artificial roads firsttook place when the goods were of a certaindescription, and had to be conveyed to oneplace only; and when the quantity alsowas considerable. Continually passing alongthe same road, when perhaps the materialsfor upholding and keeping it in repair wereexpensive, might induce them to seek outsome remedy ; and, it is not unlikely, that the^laying down of timber, in the worst parts of

\

c