Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/13

 roads, was that by Mr. Gurney, in 1829, who travelled from London to Bath and back, in his Steam Carriage. He states, that although a part of the machinery which brings both the propelling wheels into action, when the full power of the engine is required, was broken at the onset, yet that on his return he performed the last eighty-four miles, from Melksham to Cranford Bridge, in ten hours, including stop pages. Mr. Gurney has given to the Committee very full details of the form and power of his Engine, which will be found in the evidence.

The Committee have also examined Messrs. Summers and Ogle, Mr. Hancock, and Mr. Stone, whose Steam Carriages have been in daily use, for some months past on common roads. It is very satisfactory to find that although the boilers of the several Engines described, vary most materially in form, yet, that each has been found fully to answer the expectation of its inventor. So well, in fact, have their experiments succeeded, that in each case where the proprietors have ceased to use them, it has only been for the purpose of constructing more perfect Carriages, in order to engage more extensively in the business.

When we consider that these trials have been made under the most unfavourable circumstances,—at great expence,—in total uncertainty,—without any of those guides which experience has given to other branches of engineering;—that those engaged in making them are persons looking solely to their own interest, and not theorists, attempting the perfection of ingenious models;—when we find them convinced, after long experience, that they are introducing such a mode of conveyance as shall tempt the Public, by its superior advantages, from the use of the admirable lines of Coaches which have been generally established;—it surely cannot be contended, that the introduction of Steam Carriages on common Roads is, as yet, an uncertain experiment, unworthy of legislative attention.

Besides the Carriages already described, Mr. Gurney has been informed, that from "twenty to forty others are being built by different persons, all of