The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-11-20 00:00:00

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

TO THE EDITOR OP 7"/ IE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
I hope you will pardon the liberty I so frequently take of
addressing you, but I cannot .suffer my property to be at-
tacked publicly by men who are either ignorantly or malici-
ously led with impunity. To notice every diabolical and ma-
lignant slander thrown at the Great Western Railway and
its Managers would be an endless task, so numerous are the
inventions of the enemy, and so ready is a part of the press,
(called hireliag,) to insert them. The vile calumnies which
the Railway Times (much better known toy the familiar ap-
pellation of the "London Story Teller") has from time to
time vomited forth to serve interested purposes, by endea-
vouring to excite hatred towards the directors and Mr.
Brunel, has led many to believe, that that journal receives
its principal support from Liverpool or Bristol. Indeed, so
many of the charges made against the Great 'Western Rail-
way in the leading articles of that journal, and so many
also under the pretended signatt.re of so and so, bear such a
strict analogy to the general conversation and calumnies
heard on 'change, that no doubt can be entertained of the
surmise being correct, and that they emanate from a certain
set of speculators in this town, who, although respectable as
regards wealth, yet condescend to publish that which they
know to be false, for the purpose.ef amassing it. A railway
journal was long found to be a necessary desideratum by the
scientific railway sharks, (called speculators,) for the pur-
pose of satisfying their rapacity, by preying upon the fears of
the weak and timid by fictitiousre.ports.of exaggerated dis-
asters, or fancied prospects of success. Expediency •has
caused this journal to-he published in--London, and that its
ramifications might be complete,'a letterabox has Been opened-
in Liverpool, for the purpose of traasmitting (free of postage)
• all railway communications from this neighbourhood. I
should be sorry to denounce any -railway publication if I
could but see that its object was to disseminate truth in lieu
of error; and to endeavour by laudable means to protect the
innocent holder of shares from getting into the jaws of the
Railway Shark; but I tarn crimpelled to say of the above
journal that it does not participate in the character of being
one of the best public instructors -upon railway matters.
If the editor of the Railway Times be (as he professes to h.)
really a disinterested adviser, why' is he so anxious to heap
abuse and misrepresentation continually upon the Great
Western alone? if he be the Pure and disinterested advo-
cate for elucidating.all that is good and bad in railways for
the advantage of the public, why not favour the public occa-
sionally with his editorial opinions upon the cost, manage-
ment, income, &c, of sonic of the other great lines formed
and in a state of formation ? • There are many that have and
will cost more than the Great Western, but or these we never
bear a word, which clearly shows that he has little to do with
principles of honour, but those of profit; and that he is not
an inquirer after truth, but seeks how to confound it. Re-
cently the editor ihforined the public that "he was some-
thing more than a proprietor" in the Great Western; if so,
he certainly could furnish something like an authority for
his assertions, and net baselV attempt to blacken the Great
Western Railway with such silly sarcasms as " Brunel's
Whistle," " Whimsey," " Prodigy," &c. If the Great
Western is to be assailed, let it be with facts and real argu-
ment, not with unsupported assertion and sophistry. I am
clearly of opinion, that if half the charges made by the Rail-
way Times against the Great Western were capable of proof,
they would be named with date and place to prove their
authority; and so long as this proof be wanting, the only
conclusion every homiest, sensible, and unbiassed man can
come to is, that the Railway Times contains more falsehood
than truth, and that Mr. Brunel, with the directors, have
shewn their good sense by not taking the slightest notice of
the vile attacks upon them. There is no necessity for our
local opinions being expressed in London papers ; it is,
therefore, pleasing to observe, that your valuable paper is
approximating mu utility to a respectable Liverpool Railway
Times, from the valuable information it contains, and the
liberal manner in which its columns are tlirown open for
free discussion. It is rather extraordinary that Liverpool,
long ere this, has never had a journal devoted entirely to
railway statistics. Lancashire holds considerably more rail-
way shares than any two ceunties in England, and why not
shave one ? It might be edited and conducted upon princi-
ples of honour and integrity; and if a few gentlemen ac-
quainted a it h the arts and sciences could be prevailed upon
to become its active supporters and correspondents, its pages
no doubt would become the organ of communication and
discussion upon railway matters in general, and more parti-
cularly such as are interesting to the good old town ..t. Liver.
pool. Resiars, seeing one's name in print occasionally would
have the effect of creating a national emulation, and the Li-
verpool Railway Times woulil very soon iteCOITIC a depository for
thoughts of selid infotmation and instruction upon railways.
Liverpool awl Manchester have a direct interest in the pre•
servation, advancement, and improvement of railways; and
I can just fancy a publication it. which the intelligent holders
of shares for investment take upon themselves that part of the
Liverpool limes illustrative of fair dealing, suit
showing the advantages to he derived from steady honesty;
then the holders of scrip hold upon speculation, credit, or
time bargain, taking up.in themselves the part of developing
railway trickery and t.:tibterfu.zy is all its parts, next the in's

and out's of a sharebroker's office (dealers on their own ac-
count) might probably be made familiar, by some expelled
clerk, one or two who have failed in the trade. If such a
work could be established here, the cause of truth and justice
would have many advantages in combatting misrepresenta-
tion and calumny; and a stay would also be put upon Liver-
pool opinions being thrown into a London Railway Times; it
would also familial ize and make us all so intimately ac-
quainted with every thing connected with railways, that we
should hear of few being fleeced, and fewer becoming rich
upon no capital.- A-trading man is an hononr to, and support
of society. but I ant no advocate for trading upon chicane' y,
but unshaken integrity between man and man, grounded
upon real capital. If I were to consult my own inclinations,
1 should probably feel disposed to enter into an expose of
railway trickery; but being more ebaritably disposed (at
present) front a conscientious opinion, that the puny efforts
of the malignant vilifiers of the Great Western will meet
front the public that odium which the deliberate slanderer so
justly merits. I refrain from doing this. I regret to find
that Hr. Hoyes has no better regard for himself than to colt-
tnaue his reckless and futile attempts (through the Railway
Times) upon the character of Air. Brunel, and my pity for
him is magnified, from his being accounted to be ell able and
intelligent man, whose .ntly vexation appears to be, the non-
fulfilment of an insatiable pride, in the expulsion of an ho-
nourable and talented man. It is commonly reported that
the party of whom Mr. Hoyes is the leader, intend, bs a most
miserable act, (it is said they are subdividing their shares to
increase their votes,) to attempt the expulsion of Mr. Brunel
on the 20th of next month. 9l r. Hoyes, certainly, is not
unsupported in his object, for I lake the writer of a letter
signed G.C., in last week's Railway Times, to he a pupil of
his; the latter having ventured to intrude himself upon the
notice of the public as a calculating boy, under the impres-
sion of rendering a most valuable piece of information, viz ,
"the future prospects and return of the Great Western Rail-
way." Without the slightest desire of putting my labours in
competition with G. C., or any other calculator upon the
return of the Great Western, or any other railway, still I do
consider myself justified, from the arithmetic I sin possessed
of, and being a shareholder, to correct, if possible, that which
appears to the to be the emanation of a vitiated mind, dealt
out for the purpose of assisting the conspiracy for bringing
into disgrace a body of men (and an undertaking) whose
labours and integrity may be rslied upon with safety, and
whose characters will bear comparison with any body in the
kingdom.. Notwithstanding the Great Western directors are
some of the first commercial and hest educated men to he
found, yet G. C. labours disingenuously to show that they are
as a railway board the most childish and most devoid of com-
mon sense (I may here remark, that it only requires a good
mathematical education, joined with good common sense
and a little experience, to be an engineer; and to be a good
director, nothing more is required than real honesty in deci-
ding upon matters submitted by the engineer for considera-
timt) of any other railway board in England, either great or
small. Such are G. C.'s opinions of the Great Western di-
rectors; let us review the context of his letter. First, he
considers " what return are the proprietors likely to receive
under the present management. Secondly, that the actual
amount of revenue for 4 months to Maidenhead from passen-
gers has been about £29,700; and that the nett revenue
(after deducting expenses) of the whole line, admitting the
income for the 22 miles as a data for calculation, will be
from passengers £l9OO per mile. Thirdly, that the splendid
revenue of the Great Western will yield a dividend of
£4 4s. Gil. per cent, upon passengers. Fourthly, that the
road will cost £45,000 per mile, and the incidental expenses
will be 50
~er cent, upon the gross income; and that other
companies are able to borrow money on bond at and 4
per cent., whilst the Great Western is paying 5 per cent. And
lastly, that the Grand Junction, or any other line executed
with economy; with such a revenue, would yield a dividend
of 10 per cesst."—When men take upon themselves to pub-
lish errors, they should at least show a disposition to exhibit
the whole truth, without which a man becomes guilty of pre-
varication, and the crime of injuring his neighbour without
grounds may be laid to his charge. So it is with the principal
part of the foregoing remarks of G. C. Some are taken from.
the directors' own report, some (essential parts) are taken
front his own imagination, and, taking them as a whole, you
are -intuitively led to pronounce them as intended to pro-
duce a false impression upon the minds of the proprietary
against the meeting to take place on the 20th of next
month. It is an error for G. C. to AMY that the Great
Western will cost £45,000 per mile. The directors say
it will cost less than £40,000 per mile. It is an error

for him to say that other railway companies can borrow
money at 3% and 4 per cent. If so, why did he not name
them? There is an absolute want of candour through-
ont G. C.'s letter, and the words from passengers upon passen-
gers are placed so ambiguously, that a superficial reader is
apt to pass the real meaning. G. C. never once alludes to
the expected revenue from merchandise, cattle, coal, &c., as
proved before parliament, which admits of both his calcula-
tions and his policy being impugned. It is sufficient, there-
fore, for my present purpose to show that no one who is not
anxious to calumniate the Great Western, could possibly
come to the same conclusions as G. C. i. e., that it will never
snake an ample return for the capital laid out. To do this it
will only require one of G. C.'s own admissions to show that
the Great Western railway has little to fear from such puny
assailants, and also that he knows very little of comparative
estimates, and much less of truth. The next time G. C. at-
tacks the Great Western, whether by himself or in conjunc-
tion with others, let me advise him to use different weapons—
instead of slander and falsehood, demonstrate with truth, jus-
tice, and judgment. If the actual income from the directors
own report Jro jiver months, upon the fractional pale of the
line to Maidenhead (22 miles) be £29,700 —that is equal to
£B9.loo—per annum for the 22 miles—now
If 22 miles get £89,100, what will 117 miles ..... £473,850
Add revenue, as proved before parliament, arising
front cattle, merchandise, &c.

Deduct for every incidental charge 40 per cent. upon
the gross income (though it is believed it will be
less)

Amount disposable for dividends £156,694

Suppose the capital to consist of £3,250,000, of shares
paid up, on which a dividend of eleven per cent.
is paid
Suppose the capital to consist of £1,500,000 of bonds
bearing interest at 5 per cent. . 75,000
Suppose for additional expenditure or carried to re-
serve fund 24,194

£456,69•}

The above result differs from G. C.'s very materially. If
it be wrong, I shall be glad to acknowledge it ; if it be right,
I hope G. C. will make restitution. The above can only be
a criterion, for I see no reason why the Great Western should
not look for the same prospective decrease as other lines when
completed. The traffic i❑ passengers upon the 22 miles has
exceeded that of any other railway rit. the kingdom, and yet
Out of Arty-six coaches conning out of London to the West of
England, only ten run as yet upon the Great Western.
G. C.'s calculations appear to have cost him considerable
labour though to me they appear to be of little or no use to
the public, except to mislead, yet he thinks he has been 17104
i❑ allowing the whole line (as he states) the same re-
sults as the fractional part of twenty-two miles, There is
not one generous thought in G. C.'s valuation of the Great
Western, and I think he may rest assured that the Great
Western proprietors are generally men of too much discrimi-
nation and discernment than to be led astray by calculations
and conclusions grounded ns G. C.'s appear to be upon the
very worst of motives. It wouid be an invidious occupation
to draw comparisons of income with other great lines, but
the Great Western with its future property, or even now,
will bear comparison with either the London and Birmingham,
Liverpool and Manchester, or the Grand Junction, bearing
in mind that the latter line can scarcely be said to be more
than one-half made, and that at some future period they must
almost double their present capital by an independent line
into Liverpool.
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
\VM. WATCH, SHAREHOLDER.
Liverpool, Nov. 17, 1838.

INFIDELITY versus SOCIALISM.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
111,.—..1 have observed a notice placarded on• the walls of
this town, announcing a PUBLIC DISCUSSION, to be held ode
Tuesday evening next, between a person calling himself
" The Rev. R. Carlile," and a "Mr. Lloyd Jones ;" on which
occasion the former gentleman undertakes to prove the fallacy
of Robert Owen's principles of SOCIALISM, which every °'
knows are fuunded in infidelity. Hence some persons may
be incl. ced to suppose that this " Rev. B. Carlile" is an ad-
vocate of Bible Christianity, and even a minister of the
Gospel in some christian society, whom it may be necessary'
to undeceive. He is the same individual -who some years
ago exhibited himself as the avowed champion of infidelity' ;
and who, in conjunction with the equally •‘ Reverend Robert
Taylor," traversed the kingdom for the purpose of propagat-
ing their diabolical principles of atheistical blaspheinY•
According to Mr. Carlile's own testimony, recently borne in
rirint, in M.S. correspondence, and in verbal conversation-
know that .his principles of infidelity have undergone lie
change; and that he is now the paid agent of a society en-
gaged in their promulgation. Mr. Carlile has latterly an"
nounced himself as a " Tiinitarian Christian," but he does
not believe in the existence of a God, or of any other spirit
in the universe, except that of Man; which lie asserts to be
the intellectual offspring of a material world, which latter
object constitutes "the FATHER" in Mr: C.'s "Trinity!': t°
whom, however,
.be explicitly denies, the possessinn the
faculties of intelligence, conception; or design. In-the same
atheistical system of falsehood and deception, the human s"u,
is" the Son," and its highest principles or qualities of "r"f"
dom and affection, "the H oLy GHOST !" Such is the tex-
ture of the flimsy mask which this arch-hypocrite in theology
has thrown over his immutable atheism, as a lure to entrap
unisary souls in the meshes of his tissue of atheistic infidelity:
Your insertion of this caution in your excellent paper! Rill'
therefore, confer a benefit on the Christian community Id
this town, and Oblige
A BIBLE CHRISTIAN•
Liverpool, 19th Nor., 1838.