The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-09-22
From the london Herald.
SUSPENSION RAILWAY.

SUSPENSlON RAILWAY.
A line of railway on the suspension princi-
pie, invented by Mr.. II. K. Palmer, having
been constructed for practical use, at Ches-
hunt,in HertfordshIre, by Mr.. Gibbs, OF that
place, it was opened for public inspection
on Saturday last, when a Numerous and
highly respectable assemblagc of spectators
attended by invitation, to witness the carria-
ges in operation, and partakc of a rural en-
tertainment provided for the occasion. The
line of railway runs from the high road at
the lower end of the village through Mr..
Gibbs land to the river Lea, and is nearly
a mile long. 1t consists of a single elevated
line of surface, supported on verticle posts
of wood fixed in the ground in peculiar
manner to render their position secure.
These posts are at the distance of about
ten feet from each other, varying in height
according to the undulation Of the ground
SO as to keep their upper extremities paral-
lei with necessary plane. IN cl.tt on
these are laid reverse wedges, on which rest
line of bearers of wood, the upper sur
face of which, covered with plate of iron
forms the road tor the passage ot the wheels.
The average height Of this road above the
ground is from two to three feet. The car
rage has two wheels, one placed before
the other; and two receptacles for goods,
winch are SuS)GuOCd OhC o'i Sdth oiASs thS
centre of gravity being below the surface Of
the rail A number of these carriages are
linked together by chains, and horse is con-
nected with the whole by towing rope at
tachedt to the foremost machine. The most
, striking popularity of this plan is its extreme
simplicity, considering the many obvious adj
vantages it presents beyond the ordinary
double rail road, particularly the great ex-
pense it avoids in entertainments, culverts,
and drains-the triflng space OF ground it
occupies-the increased effects which can
| be produced upon it from its reduced force
| of resstance-its comparatively small cost
its facilities of loading and unloading, &c.
In front of the middle of the line, Temporal
ry branches were erected, and covered over
head for the accommodation OF the specta-
tors; several national flags were hoisted in
different parts of the grounds. A large
booth was constructed in the rear OF the
benches, abundantly supplied with excellent
refreshments of every descriptions; and two
others were pitched in the meadow on the
opposite side Of the line, in one of which
the workmen we're rcgaled. a band Of mu-
sic was stationed on the grass before the
seats, and performed various popular airs
| from time to time.
In the carly part of the day the weather
was extremely beautiful, and consequently
most Of the respectable families, in the neigh
borhood arrived on the ground. Having "a
4 lighted frotn their carriages, the ladies took
| possession OF the seats prepared tor them,
and afterwards occasionally promenaded
through the meadows, enjoying the plctur-
esquc scene before them heightened in its
effect by the exquisite beauty of the sur
rounding country, particularly in the direc-
ton Of Waltham abbcy.--Shortly after two
O'Clock, the arrangement of the carriages
being completed, signal gun was tlischarg-
ed, and they were put i'll motion. There
were seven i'll number, each carriage contain
ing an oblong box, suspended on either side
OF the rail line, as above described, in which
three of the company were seated, and
which also carried quantity of bricks stow
ed beneath the seats for ballast; this one horse
drew forty passengers besides an immense
weight OF brick. The carriages seemed al
little distance, like so many watering carts
moving along in a reversed position, THEN
wheels being uppermost, and had altogcth-
er very nCvcl and interesting appearance
The foremost, however, differed from the
others, AS it was merely constructed for tho
purpose OF trying the application OF the par
TO the conveyance of passengers. Its boxe:
therefore, partoos partly of the shape of :
gig, and partly that OF balloon chair. Ii
each box were two cushioned seats viS-a-uis
with little dckey behind, while the whole
carriage was covered with an awning. It,
effects was perfectly unique. The expert
ment answered in every respect. The
company took their departure, highly de-
lighted with the entertainment they have
received, and expressing a fervent hope fol
the success Of an enterprise undertaken
with SO much spirit, and OF an invention
which promised such advantages to tho
country.