The Sun.
London, England, 1831-04-23 00:00:00

ADVANTAGES OF RAIL-ROADS OVER

CANALS.

These considerations place in a conspicuous
point of view the advantages which transport by
steam-engines on rail-roads possesses over the
means of carriage furnished by inland navigation.
The moving power has in each case to over-
come the inertia of the load ; but the resistance
on the road, instead of increasing as in the canal
in a faster proportion than the velocity, does not
increase at all. The friction of a carriage on a
rail-road moving sixty miles an hour would not
be greater than if it moved but one mile an hour,
while the resistance in a river or canal, were such
a motion possible, would be multiplied 3,600
times. In propelling a carriage on a level rail-
road the expenditure of power will not be in a
greater ratio than that of the increase of speed,
and therefore the cost will maintain a proportion
with the useful effect ; whereas, in moving a boat
on a canal or river, every increase of speed, or of
useful effect, entails an enormously increased
consumption of the moving principle.
But we have here supposed that the same
means may be resorted to for propelling boats
on a canal and carriages on a rail-road. It does
not, however, appear hitherto that this is practi-
cable. Impediments to the use of steam on
anals have hitherto, except in rare instances,
impeded its application on them ; and we are
forced to resort to animal power to propel the
boats. We have here another immense disad-
vantage to encounter. The expenditure. of
animal strength takes place in a far greater pro-
portion than the increase of speed. Thus, if a
horse of a certain strength is barely able to trans-
port a given load ten miles a day for a continu-
ance, two horses of the same strength will be
altogether insufficient to transportthe same load
twenty miles a day. To accomplish that, a much
greater number of similar horses would be re-
quisite. If a still greater speed be attempted,
the number of horses necessary to accomplish it
would be increased in a prodigiously rapid pro-
portion. This will be evi'lentif the extreme case
be considered, viz. that there is a limit of speed
which the horses under no circumstances can ex-
ceed.

The astonishment which has been excited in
the public mind, by the extraordinary results
recently exhibited in propelling heavy carriages
by steam-engines on rail-roads, will subside, if
these circumstances be duly considered. The
moving power and the resistance are naturally
compared with other moving powers and resist-
ances to which our minds have been familiar.
To the power of a steam-engine there is, in fact,
no practical limit ; the size of the machine and i
the strength of the materials excepted. This is
compared with agents to whose powers nature
has not only imposed a limit, but a narrow one.
The strength of animals is circumscribed, and
their Power of still
speeo more so. Again, the
resistance arising from friction on a road may be
diminished by art without any assignable limit,
toe least
nor does it sustain
of
thei increase, to what-
ever extent the speed
omtioontiomnaoyf baeaug-
nivessel
aug-
mented ; on the contrary, then
through a canal has to encounter a resistance
by increase of speed, which soon attains an
of m
amount which would defy even the force
steam
itself; were it applicable, to overcome it with
any useful effect.—Dr. Lardner's Cabinet
Cyclopedia, Vol. XVII. Hydrostatics and
Pneumatics, by Dr. Lardner.

DEATH OF iVIR. ABERNETHY.—We regret
to state that this distinguished surgeon died on Wednesday
at his meat at Enfield. We understand he had been long
seriously ill, but he died in a state of perfect resignation
and tranquillity.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT,

Ariur, 22.

His Majesty went in state to_ prorogue the two Houses
of Parliament this day. Although a general expectatjor.
prevailed th4t Parliament would be prorofkur.i rev per-
sons were aware that his Majesty prorogue it in
person. Among the lower ttass's none could be ac-
quainted with it till the 'preparation for the ceremony be-
gan—towards out o'clock. The formation of lines of coo,
licernett in 'Parliament-street, soon after that rit&, 'Con-
veyed to the public an intimation of rAver. Was to happen,
and very soon the houses ot, t'irt line of his Majesty's
route, and the street*, tWre crowded with spectators. The
King was etithst.attically received by the people, who
seemed retksible that he had come abroad on a good cause,
aft& uttered him all the way down to the House-, anti All
t'ne way on his return. No doubt, if more time had been
allowed, a much greater crowd would hive been collected.
His Majesty was accompanied in his state carriage, drawn
by cream-coloured horses, by (we believe) Lord anu
preceded by two other stately equipages. Oet his arrival
at Old Palace-yard, the crowd to se.:, Majesty became
very dense, and the cheers were very enthusiastic.