The life of George Stephenson, railway engineer - Lighthouse ...

166 LIFE OF GEORGE STEPHENSON. [chap. xv.
CHAPTER XV.
FIRST SURVET OF THE LIVERPOOL AND MAKCHESTEB
RAILWAY.
Mr. James's business as a land-agent led him into the neighbourhood
of Liverpool in the year 1821. The formation of a
tramroad between Liverpool and Manchester was at that time
the subject of some speculation in both towns, but especially at
Liverpool. Mr. James, who was quick to hear of all such
projects, went over to Liverpool to have an interview with the
promoters. Day by day the necessity was becoming more ur-
gent for some improved mode of transporting goods inland to
the manufacturing districts. The rapidity of increase in the
trade, between Liverpool and Manchester especially, was -some-
thing marvellous. In nine years, the quantity of raw cotton
sent from the one town to the other had increased by 50,000,000
pounds' weight ; and all other raw materials had increased in
proportion. Around Manchester, hamlets had expanded into
towns, and towns had assumed the dimensions of cities, the
inhabitants of which were for the most part dependent for their
means of subsistence upon the regularity of the supply of cotton
from Liverpool. Up to this time the Duke of Bridgewater's
Canal and the Irwell and Mersey navigation had principally
supplied the means of transport ; but the enormously increasing
demands of the trade outstripped their tardy efforts. Possessing
a monopoly of the traffic, and having no rivals to fear, the canal
managers were most dictatorial in the treatment of their cus-
tomers. Perhaps, however, the canal companies did all that
could be done under the circumstances, and had already fully
taxed the resources of the navigation. The immense mass of
goods to be conveyed had simply outgrown all their appliances