and Brighton, without a tunnel. They have given notice to Parliament, and Parliament will investigate the merits of all the above projects.
6th—Is the Grand Southern railway, projected by myself. I now consider that the science of constructing railroads with the aid of locomotive engines, has already outstripped both the speed and national utility of canals; and having the knowledge of the line of country between London and Portsmouth and Brighton, from my former surveys in the grand ship canal to Portsmouth. I, in September, announced my intention to lay a plan before the public, of a railroad between London and Horsham and Portsmouth, with a branch from Horsham, to Shoreham and Brighton; finding that line of country, from its levels, well calculated for a railroad, there being but two summits over which the line would have to pass, at Epsom Common, 150 feet, and the other on the Holm Wood, 200 feet above the tide at London Bridge, and on this line no tunneling would be required; see plan and section. The utility of this design is too apparent to require a long comment, and would avoid the objections of the two other projected lines, both as to tunnels, levels, and draining the upland country of all its water; while it would give to the landowner, trader, traveller, merchant, and Government, the advantages of proximity of the whole southern coast, to the metropolis, in time of war or peace, by the speed and safety of a well-constructed railroad, without delay or danger. My estimate of this great work is about 1,500,0001, and revenue about 500,000l. per annum when completed.
As this work is of great national importance. I have not thought it right to press the subject now,
