But, alas! it is administered wholesale, and with such power, that almost before the ear catches the sound, it is vibrating in the tendon Achilles.

It is said by some, that salmon get accustomed to crimping; and I suppose that, in like manner, the American tympanum gets accustomed to this abominable clatter and noise.
The luggage-van is generally placed between the carriages and the engine.

And here it is essential I should make some observations with reference to the ticket system which is universally adopted in America.
Every passenger is furnished with brass tickets, numbered, and a duplicate is attached to each article of luggage.

No luggage is delivered without the passenger producing the ticket corresponding to that on the article claimed, the Company being responsible for any loss.
This system is peculiarly suited to the habits of the American people, inasmuch as nine-tenths of them, if not more, upon arriving at the end of their journey, invariably go to some hotel; and as each establishment, besides providing an omnibus for the convenience of its customers, has an agent ready to look after luggage, the traveller has merely to give his ticket to that functionary, thus saving himself all further trouble.
[Illustration: THE LOCOMOTIVE.] The last, but not the least important, object connected with railways, remains yet to be mentioned--viz., the locomotive.

Its driving-wheels are generally six feet and a half in diameter, the cylinder is sixteen inches in diameter, and has a stroke of twenty-two inches.