Page:Once a Week Volume V.djvu/304

 . 7, 1861. passengers on a train over a street of 120 feet wide, would only be 18 tons, or one-third the weight of a large locomotive and tender, and the power required to draw it on the level would only be about 250 lbs., or 4 lbs. per foot of area. At a maximum pressure of 40 lbs. per foot a train of 1200 passengers might be taken.

The advantages of such a system would be easy and sheltered, yet light, transit, with perfect ventilation and freedom from dust, smoke, or vapour. The disadvantages would be “such a getting up stairs.” But this might be alleviated by mechanical lifts, performed by the same engines used to obtain the vacuums. Whether the houses would be strong enough to carry the load, and whether the owners would demand too much rent, are other questions. The question of noise does not raise a difficulty, for the movement might be almost noiseless. The safety would be absolute. There would neither be engines to explode or run into trains a-head, nor trains to get off the line.

It is a question of cost, but it would be difficult to make it cost so much as portions of the Blackwall line.

Anyhow, the air line is as much a practical thing as the telegraph over the house-tops, and only a question of cost and ownership.

And, if an underground line is a necessity, the iron tube air-worked is the only plan of wholesome transit.

2em

Saxon folk were scatter’d like chaff before the wind,

With the good greenwood before them and Norman knights behind;

Their Leofrics and Edrics, with blue eyes and golden hair,

Were flying for dear life to couch with the wild beast in his lair.

Oh! dearer far than English land, though fair its meads they be,

I followed thee, De Chesney; my duty I have done;

What!” said the haughty Norman, “and dost thou look so low?

Nay!” quoth the gentle Guilbert, “by Him that died on cross,