Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/66



Mr. G. Gurney. 5 August, 1831. community has been in a direct proportion to the removal of horse power, a most unproductive labourer and a dead expence to the country. If this view of the subject be entertained, the application of steam to propelling Carriages on common roads will be as important above its application to machinery generally, as the number of horses employed in locomotion exceed those necessary to machinery, which bears no proportion with respect to each other. At Hounslow alone, there are at this moment upwards of 1000 horses employed in stage coaches and posting. On the Paddington Road, a distance of five miles only, there are upwards of 1000 horses employed at this moment. Throughout Great Britain it is almost impossible to say how many horses are employed, but should perhaps be within bounds if I were to say millions, in posting and stage coaches. If it is possible to remove those horses by an elementary power, which I firmly believe is practicable, the national advantage must be in proportion to the number of horses so removed; for if it is shown that one carriage horse can be removed from the road by the present state of Steam Carriages. I see no reason why every horse so employed should not be so removed. It has been decided that the consumption of a horse is equal to that necessary for eight individuals, so for every horse that is removed and is supplied by elementary power, we make way for the maintenance of eight individuals. If it is possible to carry the idea so far, and I see po objection to it, to do the principal work of horses by steam, or if it can be done by elementary power, the Committee may imagine to what extent we may provide for our increasing population. I think we may do much by political laws and enactments, but natural laws will do more, and when pointed out by the finger of Providence, may be made to provide for his wise dispensations. I firmly believe that the introduction of Steam Carriages will do more than any other thing for this country; I have always had this impression; I left an honourable and lucrative profession, in which I was extensively engaged,