Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/18

 question of delay, and can scarcely exceed in frequency the casualties which may occur with horses.

It has been frequently urged against these Carriages, that, wherever they shall be introduced, they must effectually prevent all other travelling on the road; as no horse will bear quietly the noise and smoke of the Engine.

The Committee believe that these statements are unfounded. Whatever noise may be complained of, arises from the present defective construction of the machinery, and will be corrected as the makers of such Carriages gain greater experience. Admitting even that the present Engines do work with some noise, the effect on horses has been greatly exaggerated. All the Witnesses accustomed to travel in these Carriages, even on the crowded roads adjacent to the Metropolis, have stated, that horses are very seldom frightened in passing. Mr. Farey and Mr. Macneil have given even more favourable Evidence, in respect to the little annoyance they create. No smoke need arise from such engines. Coke is usually burned in Locomotive Engines, on Railways, to obviate this annoyance; and those Steam Carriages which have been hitherto established also burn it. Their liability to he indicted as nuisances will sufficiently check their using any offensive fuel.

There is no reason to fear that waste Steam will cause much annoyance. In Mr. Hancock's Engine it passes into fire, and other Locomotive Engines it is used in aid of the power, by creating a quicker draught and more rapid combustion of the fuel. In Mr. Trevithick's Engine it will be returned into the boiler.

The Committee, not having received evidence that gas has been practically employed in propelling Carriages on common roads, have not considered it expedient to inquire as to the progress made by several very scientific persons who are engaged in making experiments on gases, with the view of procuring a still cheaper and more efficient power than Steam. The Committee, having satisfied themselves that Steam has been successfully adopted as a substitute