text:  A company offers to transport us by a straighter line in thirteen; and for that purpose they ask leave of the legislature to construct a rival line at the expense of a few millions! Now keeping in mind what we have said as to capital is not this in the present state of things most wanton prodigality? The same "few millions"--and we rather suspect they are fewer than is commonly supposed--would open up counties hitherto untouched by the railway system--would give us communication through the heart of the Highlands through the remoter districts of Wales through the unvisited nooks of Ireland and in so doing would minister not only to the wants of the community but in an inconceivable degree to the social improvement of the people