The Western World (Volume 2); Or, Travels in the United States in 1846 - 47 Exhibiting Them in Their Latest Development, Social, Political, and Indust (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1849. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII. FROM MILLEDGEVILLE TO MACON. RAILWAY AND TELEGRAPHIC SYSTEMS OF THE UNITED STATES. Journey by Stage to Macon.--An American Stage-coach My Fellow-passengers.--The Road Difficulties of the journey.--The Railway System of the United States--Its three great features.--The System in the Basin of the St. Lawrence.--The Sea-coast System.--The Central System.--Prospective System of Railways in the Great Valley.--Extent of Railways.--Extent of Lines projected.--Effect of Railways and Canals upon the common Roads of America.--Facilities afforded for the Construction of Railways ia America.--Favourable nature of the Surface of the country.--Cheapness of Land.--Cheapness and Availability of Timber.--Single Lines.--Dividends.--Durability of American Railways.--Number of Trains.--Construction of the Cars.--Plan adopted with regard to Luggage.--No different Classes of travellers on American Railways--Unreasonableness of this.--Speed.--Fares.--The Electric Telegraph in America.--Its triumphs.--Lines completed, projected, and in progress.--Prospects of America in connexion with the Telegraph. It was late at night when I left Milledgeville. Here, for the first time on my way from Boston to New Orleans, I had to betake myself to a stage coach, the previous part of the journey, extending over upwards of 1,200 miles, having been entirely performed by railway and steamer. In England, after a long railway ride, the prospect of a stage coach journey is the reverse of disagreeable. With a good road, a highly cultivated and picturesque country, and a well appointed coach, nothing can be more delightful in the way of travelling than an outside seat on one of those old but now almost traditional The railways have since been extended westward. vehicles. It is a pity th...