Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-08-03

A RIDE IN SOUTHWESTERN LANCASHIRE
MORE OF ENGLISH RAILWAYS -
soUTHPoRT-A WALK ABOUT THE
I.oCKPoRT DOCKS AND WAREHOUSES;,
ETC, ETC.
LIVERPOOL, July IA, 1871.
Editor Rutland Herald AT the sug-
gestion of friend a few days since, L
venturcd to make short visit to South
port, watering place, about 20 miles
from this city, on the shore of the Irish
Sea. The day I had chosen for the trip
turned out to be rainy one, consequent
ly I did not enjoy myself as I might have
done had it been otherwise. Neverthe-
less sight of the open country, the sha-
dy groves, and the neat farm houses, and
the enjoyment of a fresh sea breeze,
proved an agreeable change from the
crowded thoroughfares of Liverpool. 1
left by the Lancashire and Yorkshire rail-
way, the station of which is about three
stories above the level of the street, the
line of which passes on masonwork over
the roofs of houses into the suburbs, and
finally into the rural districts. The man
ner of travelling was novel to me, but
door of the carriage, after examining my
ticket. Being thus safely Gagged, natur-
ally supposed that would be released
when the station to change for my destin-
ation was reached. My hypothesis was
incorrect, however, and l was carried
about double the distance ought to have
gone before the door was opened. An ex-
PLANTATION to the station agent followed,
and l was sent back free of charge. A
beautiful specimen of cheap treveling l
at last arrived at Southport only two
hours late; but it was we'll enough, for it
was was more comfortable in the carriage
than it was outside in the rain.
The appearance of the land through
which / rode was entirely different from
that to which / had been accustomed.
The soil seems to have been we'll nigh ex-
hausted, and the grain and vegetables
wore a stunted aspect. The groves were
small, the houses old, and the fences in
visible. The scarcity of timber In this
country necessitates an economical use OF
the small supply, and wherever metal can
be used it is done. This is noticeable ev-
erywhere, in houses, wagons, and numer-
GUS domestic utensils, as well as in ships,
bridges and fences. Pottery is used a
great deal. Bridges are made of stone
and iron, and substantially, too; and
fences are constructed of wire where
hedges are not substituted. In most cas-
es the railways either pass under or over
the turppikes, but where this is not so,
gates are placed. BY this method bells on
locomotives are unnecessary. By the way,
the locomotives throughout, unlike those
of America, are unornamented, but they
are built for durability only. Each one
is painted wholly of one color, has no
cab, no headlight, nor pilot. The boiler
has upon it only dome, which is mid
way between the engineer and the smoke
stack, and the whistle is small and always
has a shrill sound. But to return to the
other matter. Several canals were crossed,
and upon these were clumsy, small boats
laden generally with coal. The smaller
stations along the lines are worthy of
special notice, on account of their neat
ness which all travellers admire. The
house is ornamented in tasty manner,
and often has flower beds surrounding it.
the place spelled on the sod, the letters
being formed by beds. The stations in
the larger towns are constructed of iron
and glass, and the span OF the roof is
sometimes immense. The fact that the
wiptry storms are light will show that al.
most incredible spans may be permitted;
several Vermont snow storms, however,
would make fewer of these light struc-
lures. l perceived, at different points,
posts about foot in hight placed in the
ground beside the track, and upon them
were pnlleys through which passed half
q dozen wires, more or less. Tracing
them further discovered that these were
attached to signals situated at intervals.
Near each station is house dozen feet
square, and elevated above the level Of
the track; this is occupied by man, who
by the aid of a number of levers and pull.
leyp, manages the switches and signals in
the neighborhood. A multiplicity of sig
mails are used, and the signal books Of
the longer railways contain many fpages.
do not see their utility, fer, although
the country is network Of railways,