The Sun.
London, England, 1838-12-14 00:00:00

RAILWAYS.

We have seen a model of an improved method of
constructing the upper works of railways, by Mr.
Motley, civil engineer, of Bristol, which, according to
our opinion, deserves the mature consideration of all
Railway Companies. We have also been favoured
with the sight of a beautiful model of his design
for a bridge over the floating harbour of Bristol,
consisting of two elegant side arches of cast iron, with
a drawbridge in the middle, of larger dimensions, it is
believed, than any in Europe ; and notwithstanding its
extraordinary dimensions and weight—each leaf, with
its counterbalance, being about 50 tons—yet it will
be so well counterpoised as to be opened by two men,
in as many minutes ! The mode of hanging the leaf
is novel and ingenious, as the balance is so nicely ad-
justed as to rest of itself, at any point, from the hori-
zontal to the vertical position, without the assistance
(-2/ graduated weights or chains. We were also pleased
with Mr. M.'s ingenious experimental model for deter-
mining the superiority of cast-iron arches at the sides,
which, it appeared to us, would undoubtedly be more
economical, at the same time afford greater security, in
consequence of casting the iron arches so as to prevent
longitudinal thrusts ; for though cast in the form of
an arch, they are in reality girder beams, conse-
quently will require less expensive masonry. For the
information of our railway friends, we requested Mr.
111. to furnish us with a few facts, which he has
obligingly done, and which we insert below. We do
so the more readily, because Mr. M. does not antici-
pate any immediate pecuniary benefit, but freely com-
municates his ideas for the use of those who may feel
disposed to give the plan a trial, which we think so
simple and effective, that it will very probably call for
at least public approbation, if not pecuniary reward

'0 THE EDITOR OF THE SU.N.
Agreeably to your request, I here furnish you with
a few observations by way of explanation of my plan
fbr the upper works of railways. At the last meeting of
the British Association, Mr. Herapath introduced to its
notice a plan of mine, for laying longitudinal timber bearers
edgeways, resting, every two yards, on cast-iron angular
sleepers, the principle of which was admitted by Mr. G.
Stephenson and Mr. Donkin (the President and Vice-Pre-
sident) to be good ; but the former feared the expense
would be objectionable, although the expense would be at
least 25 per cent. less than the actual cost of that portion
of the line between London and Maidenhead, and, in my
opinion, would be kept in good working condition at from
50 to 75 per cent. less annual expense.
The plan I now propose is simply to cut the bulk-tim-
ber angle ways, so as to produce a triangular bearer which
offers a larger resistance to depression, and increasing the
stiffness nearly 50 per cent. I propose to bed these bearers
with the angular downwards, with the broad surface level
with the surface of the ballasting, and to unite each, by
what is termed halving together, secured by bolts, and on
embankments to connect by transverse bolts, every two
ards, by means of iron bars of 2or 2 wide, and in. thick,
to have a key-hole at each end so as to clear the thickness
of the timber bearer at about six inches below the surface
of the bearer, which may be let in edgeways from the sur-
face of the timber, and when the bar is in its place the
remaining aperture to be filled with hard wood, so that the
timber bearer would not be injured thereby. To these bars I
propose to key the transverse bolts—the rail I propose to be
of similar form to that used on the Great Western
line except that they may be half-an-inch deeper, and
be fastened down with screws as the Great Western, or
if preferred, by means of iron bolts let in through the
deepest part of the timber every three feet, and secured at
the bottom by a key, the bolt to have an oblong head to
nearly fit the hollow in the rail ; a keyhole to be cut in
the side of the bridge of the rail to admit a wedge or key
to be inserted through the sides and the head of the bolt, by
which means any degree of firmness required may be at-
tained. I propose when the wedge or key is driven to its
place, the small end to be cut off, and the end burred to pre-
vent its getting loose by the vibrating motion of loads pass-
ing over the rail, which can be easily tightened at
any time with a hammer. The advantages which I think
will be attended by the plan proposed is, first, economy and
expedition in fixing or laying down, superior steadiness when
down, greater longitudinal stiffness, but most of all the faci-
lities it alfords of packing, by which I think at least 75 per
cent. will be saved in the annual expense, or between 200/
and 800/. per mile per annum less than the calculated ex
pense of the London and Maidenhead line.

That longitudinal timber on embankments are superior
to short transverse bearers, when they are properly
con-
nectedderedthaast plraonpaoistaadl,inmalusbteabreersobv
partake
when t h
ei t
pi is
ocpoenr st iy-
i us
'
of suspension. Thus, if the embankment at the outer
edge were to slide away for two or three yards,
such would be the tenacious property of longitudi-
nal bearers, properly united with the rails, firmly fixed
so as to secure the junction qf the timber by cross-
ing the joints, that no dangerous or injurious deflec-
tion could take place, unless the load was so great as to
tear the wood and iron asunder, which the ordinary loads
even of the ourrageoasly ponderous engines now in use
would not effect. It has been suggested by the eminent en-
gineer of the Greenwich Railway, that it would be best to
have the iron-rails in lengths of not more than seven feet,
for two reasons in which 'fully concur. lst. To accommo-
date contraction and expansion ; and 2dly, the convenience
and economy it affords in the expense of placing and replac-
ing in case of required repairs.
I am very respectfully yours, &c.,
THOMAS MOTLEY.

ANGLO-BELGIAN BANK.—In our communica-
tion, the 24th of last month, we informed the public that
the King bad already honoured with an audience the
founders of the Anglo-Belgian Bank. We have received
intelligence this day that the statutes of the Society have
been some time in the hands of one of the King's Minis-
ters, and it is probable, from the actual state of circum-
stances, that the Government will receive this enterprise
very favourably, and that they will without delay, give the
necessary authorisation for the commencement of opera-
tions. The first sum to put into circulation is 25,000,000
francs, a great part of which has been subscribed by
bankers, merchants, and other great English capitalists.
Several of the subscribers have commercial relations with
Belgium. The circulation of such a capital must have the
most favourable results for the rapid
progress of our com-
merce, if it is, as we have received intelligence, that the
two principal objects of the Anglo-Belgian Bank are to
discount all kinds of bills without any regard to the number
of signatures, and to advance money on personal security
as they do in Scotland, under the name of cash credits.
Small capitalists of the country, who find it so difficult to
pass theßireibgiilalso,
Bwailolkh.e
'This
omuugchht atoccbome mvoedryateadgrbeeyabthlee
the greater part of our merchants and manufac-
tnAuernivegsris°.; In order to circulate as much as possible the ad-
vantages which their manner of proceeding will offer, the
Bankproposes to establish branch Banks in the principal
towns of Belgium, and to put the direction of these auxi-
liary establishments in the hands of local administrators,
with discretionary power, so that they may act as indepen-
dent bankers, only they will be under the beneficial
so controlto theohfo en
atnde General Administrativeofferto oo r readers C o
someuncil .f u r
ticulars relative to this great national enterprise.—Brussels
Independent. _lt,BhV,ee.ruhspsoaepris
e-
e.

NEW PLAN FOR SOFTENING THE HEARTS OF
LITIGANTS.--At a late meeting of the county of Ross,
held at Invergordon, on the subject of the proposed
new Prison Bill, Mr. Ross of Cromarty, an active county
"
gentleman (says the Inverness Courier), and a judicious
improver of his estate, sported some strange notions
on this matter.
said, that when he Among other curious things, he
cuss the complaint by reasonindg with the partiesh, and with
ractise as a Justice, eused to
the aid aid of a little whisky used to make them shake hands
and go home again, and he wished some of his brethren would
follow his example." This (says the Courier) is an excellent
plan of law reform ; right and wrong are put on a beautiful
footing of
equality. Every justice-room should be pro-
vided with a grey-beard. Difficult cases, however, would
require the frequent application of the quaich, and there
might be some trouble occasionally with a sturdy Atheist or
Presbyterian, or a greedy Jew, as to the exact quantity re-
quired to produce peace and good-will. A man who had his
potatoes stolen or his head broken, might also, if he was of as
obstinate disposition, require several drams before he was
willing to shake hands with the other party ; but a scale could
be adopted—
such as a
gill for making up petty cases ;
half a mutchkin for making up graver offences, 4e,
If this failed, the incorrigible rogues should 14 handed
over to the Justices who convict the juvenile apple-stealers.
Of course, if this system were generally adopted, the Justice-
whisky would require to be provided by a county assess.
ment, levied in the ratio of population and crime, No Jus-
tice should be allowed more than his proper share to dis-
pose of, and any persons fowid guilty of making up sham
cases, in order 4 get the whisky, should be punished with
the utmost severity of the law. Under sueh a j4dicious
system of morality and managemeak, all Prison Bills
would indeed be an e#4,l3tY name T.—S colsman.
T
Appwct inquests were held yesterday, the otke at the
le Tree; Derrinffton-street, Cloekeu:vveil, the other at
. .
the Royal Oak, P • ei street Lisson,-grove on Or hoclioi
rnie : - , , ..
of inlaris wino bac( been suffocated by hi Aga. ii 0v,,,,1„:,,. -
thew, mothers ii b,ed. Atl ktil 4AbtiS)... -
' OtigniAl de4tht"

".. by
...4 verdict was " Ac.