Page:The Grand junction railway companion to Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham; (IA grandjunctionrai00free).pdf/17

Rh end of the proposed line; and a bill to effect this project was, after some short time, prepared for Parliament.

The whole management of the concern had, however, fallen into the hands of Liverpool gentlemen, who had had experience in the Liverpool and Manchester Railroad, both in obtaining the Acts of Parliament, and making a railroad. To the experience of these gentlemen in the latter object are the subscribers indebted for the extraordinary fact, that the 82½ miles of their line (which is accomplished with a degree of solidity and finish at present unrivalled) have cost them but about £1,500,000, while the works on the Liverpool line, which is but 31 miles, have cost two-thirds, or perhaps more, of the same amount; an expenditure, be it recollected, not recklessly or carelessly incurred, but one which was necessary to obtain the experience and information which will now enable others to execute similar works at so great a reduction of cost. Every railroad company which may in future exist is infinitely indebted to the Liverpool and Manchester Company; and if the feelings and principles which regulate the actions of individuals towards each other, when their own affairs alone are concerned, could be brought