CHAMBERS' EDINBURGH JOURNAL
CONTENTS
A GLANCE AT CONTINENTAL RAILWAYS.
A NEW PRINCIPLE IN NATURE.
ENGLISH SISTERS OF CHARITY.
BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION.
THE EGYPTIAN MUSEUM, LIVERPOOL.
UNCLE TOM'S CABIN.
HANDEL IN DUBLIN.
ROYAL GARDENING.
UNDER THE PALMS.
CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM AND ROBERT CHAMBERS, EDITORS OF 'CHAMBERS'SINFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE,' 'CHAMBERS'S EDUCATIONAL COURSE,' &c.
| No. 455. New Series. | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1852. | Price 1½d. |
A GLANCE AT CONTINENTAL RAILWAYS.
When lately making a pretty extensive continental excursion, we werein no small degree gratified with the progress made in theconstruction and operation of railways. These railways, from all thatcould be seen, were doing much to improve the countries traversed, andextend a knowledge of English comforts; for it must always be borne inmind that the railway system, with its locomotives, carriages,waiting-rooms, commodious and cheap transit, and other matters, isessentially English. Hence, wherever one sees a railway in fulloperation, he may be said to see a bit of England. And is not thissomething to be proud of? The railway being your true civiliser,England may be said to have sent out a missionary of improvement, whomnothing can withstand. The continent, with all its stupid despotisms,must improve, and become enlightened in spite of itself.
The newspapers lately described the opening of the line of railwayfrom Paris to Strasbourg. Those who know what travelling in France wasa few years ago, cannot wonder that Louis Napoleon should have madethis the occasion of a popular demonstration. The opening of this lineof railway is an important European event; certainly it is a greatthing for both France and Germany. English travellers may also thinkmuch of it. A tourist can now journey from London to Paris—Paris tothe upper part of the Rhine at Strasbourg, going through a mostinteresting country by the way—then go down the Rhine to Cologne bysteamer; next, on by railway to Ostend; cross by steamer to Dover;and, finally, reach London—thus doing in a few days, and all by forceof steam, what a short time ago must have been done imperfectly, andwith great toil and expense. Still more to ease the journey, a branchrailway from the Strasbourg line is about being opened from near Metz,by Saarbrück, to Manheim;