The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-03-05
RAILROADS

In reviewing the history of the human
race, we find every remarkable increase in
civilization to have taken place very much
in proportion to the facilities of intercourse
enjoyed in particular situations; first there
fore, civilization grew along the banks of
great rivers, as the Nile, the Euphrates, and
the Ganges; or.along the shores Of inland
seas and archipelagos, as in the Mediterra-
mean and the numerous islands of Greece :;
or over fertile and extended plains, as in
many parts Of India. The reason is obvi-
Gus. When the situation thus binds great
number of individuals into one body, the
useful thought or action of any talented in
divdual, and which, were he in the insulat-
ed state, would soon be forgotten and lost.
extends its influence Immediately to the
whole body, and becomes the thought or
action of all who can benefit by it; it is
recorded for ever, as part of the grow
ing science or art of the community. And
in a numerous society, such useful thoughts
and acts are more frequent, because an en-
ulation arises in all the pursuits that can
contribute to the we'll being of the society,
from each individual feeling that he has the
eyes of multitude upon him, and that the
rewards of excellence will he proportion
ately great. Men soon learn to estimate
Alright these and many other advantages of
easy intercourse and, after having seized
with avidity all the stations naturally fitted
for their purposes, they begin to make new
stations themselves, and to improve upon
the old they create rivers, and shores, and
plains of their own, that is, they construct
canals. and basins, and roads; and thus
connect regions which nature seemed to
have separated for ever. In the British
isles, whose favored children have so proud
" taken the lead in showing the prodigies
which wise policy may effect, the advantage
es arising from certain lines of canal and
road first executed soon led to numberless
similar enterprises, and, within half a CEN
turv. the empire has been thus intersected
in all directions and it seems as if the no.
BILE work were now to be crowned by the
substitution of level railways for many of
! the common roads and canals. Several
railways of considerable extent have al
ready been established, and although they
and the carriages upon them are far from
having the perfection which philosophy
SAYS they will admit, the results have been
very satisfactory. If we suppose the pro-
gress to continue, and the price of trans
porting things and persons to be reduced
/ by them to Il fourth of the present charge
and, in many cases, it may be much less
and if we suppose the time Of journeying
with safety also reduced in considerable
degree, of which there can be as little doubt
the general adoption of them would effec
ain extraordinary revolution and improve
ment in the state of society. Without il
reality changing the distances of places, i
would in effect, bring all nearer to eacl
other, and would give to every part of thu
kingdom the conveniences of town ant
country, of sea-coast and highland district
As man, wherever residing, might conside
himself as virtually near to any other part
: for, at the expense of the time and none
which he now pays to go short distance
he might go long one. The over-crowde
and unhealthy parts of towns would seattle
their inhabitants into the country for tn
man of business would be as quickly an
cheaply at his post from several miles of
as he is now from an adjoining street Th
present heavy charges for bringing produc
to market from great distances being neal
" saved, the huyer every where, would pun
chase cheaper, and the producer would b
still better remunerated. In word, such
{, change would arise as if the whole of Bri
ain hsl been compressed by magic into
circle Of few miles in diameter, yet wit
I out any part losing aught of its magnitut
OF beauties. An this may appear visisnar,