STEAM CARRIAGES ON COMMON ROADS.


(_From Mr. Alexander Gordon's Treatise on Elemental
Locomotion. Concluded from page 185._)

We do not advocate any thing so preposterous as the change of the
whole animate power of Great Britain into inanimate, though in this
the political economist can see the solution of all our Malthusian
difficulties to an indefinite extent and duration. What we urge is
merely the partial adoption of the thing to such an extent as will
relax the present pressure, and restore us to a wholesome state of
national prosperity. This will occasion no dangerous experiment, and
will be gradually followed up by a progressive conversion, by which
all the conflicting interests of society will be neutralized, and
the aggregate wealth, and prosperity, and happiness of the empire be
equalized.

If then _elemental locomotion_ can he made to substitute the
expensive, unproductive system of animate labour now in use, it will
indubitably be for the vital interest of all classes of society that
the substitution should be realized speedily and extensively. That
steam can be so applied has been _satisfactorily proved_. The report
of the Committee of the House of Commons establishes this. But the
evidence of several of the enlightened and practical witnesses who
were examined before that committee bears with too much emphasis upon
the detail of the commercial and economic advantages of the project
we have just been attempting to enumerate and advocate, for us not to
avail ourselves of it even at this early stage of our work. It being