STEAM CARRIAGES ON COMMON ROADS.
(From Mr. Alexander Gordon's Treatise on Elemental Locomotion. Concluded from page 185.)
We do not advocate any thing so preposterous as the change of the whole animate power of Great Britain into inanimate, though in this the political economist can see the solution of all our Malthusian difficulties to an indefinite extent and duration. What we urge is merely the partial adoption of the thing to such an extent as will relax the present pressure, and restore us to a wholesome state of national prosperity. This will occasion no dangerous experiment, and will be gradually followed up by a progressive conversion, by which all the conflicting interests of society will be neutralized, and the aggregate wealth, and prosperity, and happiness of the empire be equalized.
If then elemental locomotion can he made to substitute the expensive, unproductive system of animate labour now in use, it will indubitably be for the vital interest of all classes of society that the substitution should be realized speedily and extensively. That steam can be so applied has been satisfactorily proved. The report of the Committee of the House of Commons establishes this. But the evidence of several of the enlightened and practical witnesses who were examined before that committee bears with too much emphasis upon the detail of the commercial and economic advantages of the project we have just been attempting to enumerate and advocate, for us not to avail ourselves of it even at this early stage of our work. It being quite decisive in support of the grand conclusion to which the said committee came after three months of patient and thorough investigation of the subject, viz. "That the substitution of inanimate for animate power is one of the most important improvements in the means of internal communication ever introduced."
[Then follow extracts from the evidence of Messrs. Torrens, John Farey, Davies Gilbert, and Goldsworthy Garney.]
In viewing the moral advantages which must result from steam-carriages, we find them of no less importance. There are but few so constitutionally indifferent to acceleration in travelling as the Hollander, who delighted in the "old, solemn, straight-forward, regular Dutch canal speed—three miles an hour for expresses, and two for joy or trot journeys." Acceleration in the speed of travelling, if unaccompanied by danger, is eagerly sought after, because the period of discomfort is lessened. But steam-carriages will not only lessen the discomfort by shortening its duration; they can be so equipped that positive comfort, nay, luxury, may be enjoyed. A steam-engine is perfectly under control, and consequently much more safe than horses. The life of the traveller cannot be jeoparded by the breaking of a rein, horses being frightened, running off, &c. &c.; the steamer, it will be seen, the honourable Committee report to the House "is perfectly safe for passengers."
The actual casualties of stage-coaches, however, we may observe, bear no proportion to the loss of lives from consumption and other diseases occasioned by cold and wet, from exposure on the top of coaches.[4]
Let us consider also how far humanity is outraged by the present system of quick travelling. The short average life of stage-coach horses (three years only!) shows how dreadfully over-wrought and out-wrought they are by the great speed now in practice. Driven for eight or ten miles, with an oppressive weight, they tremble in every nerve. With nostrils distended, and sides moving in breathless agony, they can scarce, when unyoked, crawl to the stable. 'Tis true they are well fed; the interest of their owners secures that. They are over-well fed, in order that a supernatural energy may be exerted. The morrow comes when their galled withers are again to be wrung by the ill-cushioned collars, and the lumbering of the wheels. But we do not witness all the misery of the noble and the generous steed. When the shades of night impend, the reproaches of the feeling, or the expostulations of the timid traveller no longer protect him from the lash; and the dread of Mr. Martin's act ceases to effect for a time its beneficent purpose; when the stiffened joints—the cracked hoofs—the greasy legs—and stumbling gait of the worn-out animal are all put into agonized motion by belabouring him upon the raw! The expression is Hibernian, but the brutality is our own. A few ill-gained pounds reconcile the enormity to the owner—and the cheapness and expedition of the conveyance give it public sanction: but humanity is outraged by the same: human sympathies are seared; and the noble precept, that "the merciful man is merciful to his beast," is trampled under foot.
Thus then, by substituting elementary for physical power, we have comfort for comparative inconvenience—the inside of an elegant apartment, where books, amusement, or general conversation may occupy agreeably the time—for the outside of a hard, unsafe stage conveyance, and exposure to all changes or varieties of atmosphere. Nay, we see no reason to prevent such improvement in steam-carriages as shall fit them up like steam-boats, the campaigning carriage of Napoleon, or the travelling long coach of the present Duke of Orleans, with beds, and a furnished table. We have besides safety for danger—accelerated speed without inhumanity—gain of time—of accommodation—of money—and over and above all, as a non-consumer of food, we have by the substitution what will remove the host of Malthusian ills to a period of almost indefinite duration.