unscientific public that nine out of ten view it with distrust, and it is
doubtful whether it will ever meet with the success the company hope for.

The only other elevated road at present contemplated, and for which a
liberal charter has been obtained, is known as the _Viaduct Road_. It is
proposed to build this on a series of arches of solid masonry, the
streets to be spanned by light bridges. The line of the road is to be in
the centre of the blocks along its route. The estimated cost of the
road, including the sum to be paid for the right of way, is about
$80,000,000; and it seems certain that this immense cost will necessitate
radical changes in the original plan.

[Picture: TUNNEL UNDER BROADWAY.]

The underground plan has many supporters in the city, these basing their
hopes upon the success achieved by the underground railway of London.
There are several plans proposed for an underground road. The first is
known as the _Arcade Railway_. It is proposed by the friends of this
plan to excavate the streets along which it passes to a depth of about
twenty feet, or in other words, to make a new street twenty feet below
the level of those already in existence. This new street is to be
provided with sidewalks, gas-lamps, telegraph lines, hydrants, etc., and
upon the sidewalks the basements of the present buildings will open, thus
adding an additional and valuable story to the existing edifices. The
lower street is to be arched over with solid masonry, rendered
water-tight, and supported by heavy iron columns. Large glass plates,
similar to those now used for lighting the cellars of stores, will be
placed in the sidewalks of the street above, and will furnish light to
the lower street during the day. The roadway of the lower street will be
entirely devoted to the use of railway trains. The proposed route of the
_Arcade_ line is from the Battery, under Broadway, to Union Square.
Thence the eastern branch is to extend along Fourth avenue to the Harlem
River, while the western is to continue along Broadway to the junction of
Ninth avenue, whence it will be prolonged to the northern end of the
island.

The _Underground Railway_ proper is to extend from the lower to the upper
end of the island, and is to pass through one or more tunnels, after the
manner of the Underground Railway of London.

The third plan for an underground road, is the only one that has yet been
attempted. It is known as