The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-02 00:00:00

2. AS TO TII E SACRIFICE OF 'PROPERTY.

The actual demolition of houses, and other premises,
and the occupation by railways of ground now used for
other purposes, may, for the most part, be estimated,
and compensated to the owners by money ; and although
cases will undoubtedly arise, in which the injury sus-
tained, being less direct, cannot be so estimated, or re-
dressed, these would be for the special consideration of
the Legislature, whenever the project may be brought
before it.

But with respect to the general effect produced upon
property in and near London by the passage of a rail.
way through it, we are of opinion, that although in most
cases an injurious one, it is not necessarily and in-
variably so.
If the property is situated on the outskirts of the town,
and is not already crowded with buildings ; if the ap-
proaches to it are well preserved ; and, especially-, if the
railway is carried through it in a cutting or tunnel, and
not on a viaduct, we are of opinion, from
the evidence and examples which have been
brought before us, that its value, even for dwel.
ling.houses, is not universally deteriorated. On the
other hand, we are not disposed to attach any weight
to the assumption which we have found to be a com-
mon one, that districts thickly inhabited by a popula-
tion of the lowest class, and where vice an l destitution
prevail, are sensibly improved by the passage of a rail-
way through them. Where a large extent of such ground
is occupied by a station, approaches, or works of a rail-
way, we believe that ultimate benefit is the result, both
to those who are removed and to the neighbourhood,
though at the cost to the former of much immediate
hardship. But we see no reason to think that the mere
passing of a railway through such a district he.:: any good
effect. It does not open the streets to any new traffic,
nor does it lead to the improvement of dwellings on
either side of the line ; and where the improvements
which such districts most require, viz , the formation of
new streets, with better built houses, beer ventilation,
and better drainage are in contemplation, or are likely
to be effected, it tends, in most cases, to obstruct rather
than to facilitate them.

We have not considered it necessary to determine
whether the expense which will be incurred by the
com-
panies in carrying their lines far into the town likely
to be compensated to them by increased profits, although
we see great reason for doubting it.
The only case in which it would appear that any con-
clusion upon this head might be drawn .row experience
is that of the Blackwall Railway, the, extension of which
from the terminus in the Minoiias to Fencturch-street,
a distance of only 415 yards, was effected at a cost of
250,0001. It has been stated to us by Mr. Wightman,
the superintendent of the company, that this extension
has increased the traffic on the line by one-half ; but we
are of opinion that other circumstances have operated
considerably towards producing this result, and there-
fore that this example cannot be applied to the greater
part, if to any, of the lines brought before us. The
Blackway Railway is a line of short traffic only,
.
and has to encounter formidable opposition from the
steam-boats, which bring their passengers to
tlandm.g-
places at many convenient points within he
metropolis ;
and, under these circumstances, is quite possible that
a very slight promulgation of their line towards the
centre of the city, may, though purchased at the cost
above named, have enabled the company to make head
le
against competition, and so justify them in igmaiderin
the expenditure a profitable one. Such an exam
g
furnishes no groin* for oAssuming that the promoterspof
long lines nut exposed to a similar competition, would
derive any benefit from advancing their stations, even to
a far smaller cost, within the outskirts of the metropolis.
3. AS TO THE INTERRUPTION OV IbITORTANT THO-

itouo m:AuEs
The difficulties and objections. which arise on this
head to the eatalishment of termini within the metro-
polis are so fully admitted by the companies who pro-
pose to execute such plans, that there is scarcely one
amongst the schen:tea which we have had before us of
which the promoters have not expressed their intention
to combine, more or less with their own works, and at
their own expense, the improvement of existing, or the
formation of new thoroughfares for the benefit of the

It is well known that the thoroughfares of London, in
which the pressure and inconvenience of a too great ae•
cumulation of traffic is most felt, are those that run
east and west; and that the wants 'jibe community are
already very ill-supplied by the few continuous lines of
streets which in that direction. It is impossible to
pacs, 41oug. the line of Thames•stroet, of the Strand,
Fleet-street, Watling-street, and Eastcheap, or through
parts of Holborn, Skipner-street, Cheapside, and the
Poultry, withont being aware, that if the number of
vehi;th.,4 which throng these thoroughfares were at any
bout' of the day to be suddenly, increased, even though
very slightly, the current of traffic through those chan-
nels would be s,ubjeet to, checks and inter
would tpake th,e.na a,ltogeither us.l:
_.ass Tuptions, which
m persons to who,
o 4 twd cwiAtutv nc " wansit are an object,