FOOTNOTES:
[80] An article which, dealing directly with some recent railway accidents, commented especially on the overcrowding of the lines.
[81] "Essays on Political Economy" (Fraser's Magazine, April, 1863, p. 449); "Munera Pulveris," p. 137, § 128.
[From "The Daily Telegraph," November 30, 1870.]
RAILWAY SAFETY.[82]
To the Editor of "The Daily Telegraph."
Sir: I am very busy, and have not time to write new phrases. Would you mind again reprinting (as you were good enough to do a few days ago[83]) a sentence from one of the books of mine which everybody said were frantic when I wrote them? You see the date—1863.
I am, Sir, your faithful servant,
J. Ruskin.
Denmark Hill, Nov. 29, 1870.
I have underlined the words I want to be noticed, but, as you see, made no change in a syllable.
Already the Government, not unapproved, carries letters and parcels for us. Larger packages may in time follow—even general merchandise; why not, at last, ourselves? Had the money spent in local mistakes and vain private litigations on the railroads of England been laid out, instead, under proper Government restraint, on really useful railroad work, and had no absurd expense been incurred in ornamenting stations, we might already have had—what ultimately it will be found we must have—quadruple rails, two for passengers, and two for traffic, on every great line; and we might have been carried in swift safety, and watched and warded by well-paid pointsmen, for half the present fares.