mplished at once--to assist the schemes
which volunteer the opening of a new district, rather than the
competition of mushroom companies where the field is already occupied.

There is also a filching spirit abroad, which ought decidedly to be
checked. Scarce a main line has been established from which it has not
been found necessary, for the purposes of accommodation, to run
several branches. Until about a year ago, it was generally understood
that these adjuncts ought to be left in the hands of the original
companies, who, for their own sakes, were always ready to augment
their traffic by such feeders. Now it is widely different. Four or
five miles of cross country is reckoned a sufficient justification for
the establishment of an independent company, who, without any
consultation with the proprietors of the main line, or enquiry as to
their ultimate intentions, seize upon the vacant ground as a waif,
and throw themselves confidently upon the public. If the matter does
not end in a lease, the unfortunate public will be the losers, since
it is manifestly impossible that a little Lilliput line can be cheaply
worked, independent of the larger trunk. This class of schemes also
should receive their speedy _quietus_; for what would be the use of
permitting the promoters to attempt the proof of an impossible case?

England has already made a great portion of her railroads, but neither
Scotland nor Ireland as yet have attained the same point. Now, in a
general point of view, it will hardly be denied, that it is of far
greater importance to have the country thoroughly opened up,
throughout its length and breadth, than to have an accumulation of
cross and intersecting railways in one particular district. We are
asking no favouritism, for it has become a mere matter of choice
between companies, as to which shall have the earlier preference. In
point of policy, the legislature ought certainly to extend every
possible favour to the Irish lines. It may be that in this railway
system--for Providence works with strange agents--there lies the germ
of a better understanding between us, and the dawn of a happier day
for Ireland. At any rate, to its pauper population, the employment
afforded by companies, where no absenteeism can exist, is a great and
timely boon, and may work more social wonders than any scheme of
conciliation which the statesman has as yet devised. Idleness and lack
of employment are the most fertile sources of agitati