Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/11

4 been founded; viz. the insecurity of Carriages so propelled, from the chance of explosion of the boiler, and the annoyance caused to travellers, on public roads, by the peculiar noise of the machinery, and by the escape of smoke and waste steam, which were supposed to be inseparable accompaniments.

It being also in charge to the Committee, "to report upon the proportion of Tolls which should be imposed upon Steam Carriages," they have examined several proprietors of those already in use, as to the effect produced on the surface of roads by the action of the propelling wheels.

As this was too important a branch of their inquiry to rest entirely on the Evidence of individuals, whose personal interest might have biassed their opinions, the Committee also examined several very scientific Engineers, by whose observations on the causes of the ordinary wear of roads, they have been greatly assisted.

The Committee were directed also to report "on the probable utility which the Public may derive from the use of Steam Carriages." On this point they have examined a Member of the Committee, well known for his intelligence and research on subjects connected with the interests of society, and they feel that they cannot fulfil this part of their instructions better than by merely referring The House to the Evidence of Colonel Torrens.

These inquiries have led the Committee to believe that the substitution of inanimate for animal power, in draught on common roads, is one of the most important improvements in the means of internal communication ever introduced. Its practicability they consider to have been fully established; its general adoption will take place more or less rapidly, in proportion as the attention of scientific men shall be drawn by public encouragement to further improvement.

Many circumstances, however, must retard the general introduction of Steam as a substitute for Horse Power on roads. One very formidable obstacle will arise from the prejudices which always beset