The Sun.
London, England, 1840-05-14 00:00:00

HAM BRANCH.
The line of railway which has row been in course of
formation nearly two years between Brighton and Shore-
. ham was on Monday last thrown open to the public, the
whole distance being something less than six miles.
This event, which took place on Monday afternoon,
had bean anticipated for some weeks with the mostjoy-
ous feelings as a precursor of that great event—the
completion of the main line to the metropolis. In corn-
parison with this future cremonial, it may be ranked us
an ovation compared with a triumph—or as a favourable
augury what may hereafter be expected. We have
said the Shoreham line was on Mcnday thrown open
to the public ; but that is not, literally speaking, quite
correct, for upon this occasion passengers were not car-
ried down by the trains merely upon tendering their
money ; one could only gain admittance within the ter-
minus by means of a ticket from some of the Directors,
who obliged their friends by giving them a tide for
nothing. The terminus, or Brighton station for both
lines, is at the top of Trafalgar-street, a bye
road running up from between Marlborough-place
and York-place, and exactly opposi:e St. Peter's;
Church. The access to it any way is very bad ; but
the approach through Surrey-street, when once
you have discovered that terra incognita, is really
pretty, and if it should ever be continued in the
direct line to North-street, of which intention there is
a rumour, it would make a ready and handsome entrance
into the town more.agrceable to the visitors on alighting
than must be the wretched lanes and miserable cot-
tages in the midst of which they will be set down until
this desirable alteration has been effected.
The first train was announced to start *at three
o'clock ; but at half-past two we found hundrerlstnxious
to take a trip assembled within the terminus. This
extensive space is now enclosed ; but of course it pre-
sents a very desolate appearance, there yet remaining
the London line and other extensive works to he com-
pleted. After waiting for ahbut half an hour listening
to the Band of the lath Lancers, which played nume-
rous popular and inspiriting airs;fooking at the engines,
chatting, and noticing all that was going' forward, the
company received an; intimation frOM the Directors, who
were red ribbons iia their button 'holes, that the train
waeready to :itart.e Jike word was co sooner given than
L4Piels. th
two minutes every peacen-was
Yet onward still the gathering ntimbers cram,
Contending croviders sheet the frequent d—u,
And all is bustle, squeeze, row, jabbering, and jam."
It would not be just to say, however, that there was any
very great confusion. Every one most naturally endea-
voured to do the best for himself ; still, place aux damea
was the feeling which pervaded all, and to the ladies the
best seats were readily conceded, the Directoreexerting
themselves most praiseworthily to accommodate their
fair visitors, and every gentleman unencumbered cf
this charge waiving his privilege to a seat in a carriage
of the first class. And here we may as well describe
the train. It consisted of the Kingston engine and
tenders, two open cars in which as many persons
crowded as chose to stand (we reckoned 40 in each),
two open (second) carriages divided into three parts,
each ceetaining seats for eight, and two first-class car-
riages. These are very handsome indeed, and most
commodious. They are divided into four compartments,
viz., a coupcc (chariot) at each end, and a double-bodied
carriage in the centre. E::ch coupce carries three, and
each carriage has seats for six persons, divided as the
seats cf first-class carriages are on the eenerality of
rail,eays, by elbow,,, so that you travel most comfortably.
We reckoned that in this train there were upwards
of 160 passengers, besides these outside, and the engi-
neers and their attendants. At two minutes past three
the bugle sounded, and the steam was turned on. A
cLnking of chains was heard, and a general tug Wadi
Lit throughout the train as it began to move slowly
forward, while the military band struck up " God sera
the Queen," and the passengers and spectators simulta-
neously give three cheers. But we had scarcely
ckarcd the shed, when the train stopped. Each asked.
the other the cause of the delay, but nobody knew.
"Go on," shouted several voices. " Humph :"grunted
the engine in a very harsh key. " Come, go on,* re-
peated the voices in an encouraging tone, " Go on."
Phish— was the only reply the surly en-
gine made, as the stoker let off the steam ; and then we
were—that is, the whole of the passengers and patrons
of the new undertaking placed in that most
mortifying of all situations, exposed to the risk of behave
ridiculed and laughed at by the very crowds it was de-
sired to astonish. "Go on," remonstrated some of the
more impatient passengers. "No go," observed the,
kneeing ones. " Fine nuts for the coachmen," te.
marked the wags. " Suppose they blow us up r ex-
claimed a few timid individuals, beginning to feel uneasy
at their proximity to the steamer. The engineers
busied themselves about one of the earrieges, and all
appcare to be set right, when a fresh cause of terror
was created by the announcement that another engine
was coming full tear after us. It was asserted that we
mutt be run over, and one or two already fancied they
felt half crushed. But no such thing ; the " Eagle
merely gave us a push behind, and at twelve mineme
after three we made a fresh start. " Piff—puffte...fiak
—fasle—whoff—whnff—rickle—rackle---ruckle rot&
tie, rittle—rattle," and in a few moments we fairly berm
to fly along at excellent speed. As we passed through
the several arcliways we could see the bridges above lined
Kith hundreds of eager spectators who waved,
ti;eir bats, and loudly cheered us on our progrAw,
Then a terrific roar was heard, and a thitk
darkness prevailed for half a minute, aral we
emerged once more into the light of day, Irje had
just darted through the tunnel, and the iller,ant pros-
pect of green fields burst upon tho view, It was a
pretty thing to see the meadows moving away with the
sw.finers of thought as we rode through them, and the
cottages on either side, and the hedge-rows hero and
there lined with men, women, and children waving hats,
Vale aprons, and little handkerchiefs, as signs of encou-
ragement and tokens of their delight at the novel spec-
tacle of a raiheay train in this part of the country.
In twelve minutes the train steeped ; we had arrived
at Shoreham, and enjoyed the luxury of finding our.
selves among green trees, The terminus here is situ-
ated in Buckinghamele,ne, at the back of the Union
workhouse. Th.;) train remained stationary for about
five minutes, while the engine shifted her position ; and
we " outsides,' who in going down were next the engine,
now found ourselves the last carriage from it ; and it
proved a very pleasant change, for burning ashes flying
into one's eyes and hot coals now and then bounding on
your nose are not very agreeable. In sixteen minutes
we were home again. It did not take long for all the
carriages to be emptied and filled again with a fresh
supply of passengers ; and this operation was twice
more repeated, four waggons being added to the
train alter the first trip, so that more than
200 persons went down the line each journey, and, we
are happy to add, without the slightest accident. At
the third trip the military band took a ride ; but eves
sixteen musicians arc not equal to one steam-engine at
blowing. They were very soon silenced, and only played
when the steamer left off whistling. So far as we could
judge, the journey home is the pleasanter of the two,
the train coming up much steadier than it goes down
the line.

The Directors and their friends finished the day by
dking together at the Old Ship, where a party of nearly
60 assembled to do honour to the feast.

Yesterday the trains began running regularly be•
tween 13righton and Shoreham for passengers every
two hcurs.

(From the Tyru. Mercury.)
RAILWAY COMMUNICATION WITH THL
SOUTH OPENING THIS DAY.