26 August–1 September 1833

From Kendall this morning to Lancaster; thence to Manchester, and there was deposited with my luggage in the coach on the railway to Liverpool. We parted at 1 1 minutes after six, and came to the 21st milestone at 11 minutes after seven. Strange it was to meet the return cars ; to see a load of timber, six or seven masts, dart by you like a trout. Everybody shrinks back when the engine hisses by him like a squib. The fire that was dropped on the road under us all along by our engine looked, as we rushed over it, as a coal swung by the hand in circles, not distinct, but a continuous glare. Strange proof how men become accustomed to oddest things ! the laborers did not lift their umbrellas to look as we flew by them on their return at the side of the track. It took about one and one-half hours to make the journey, 32 miles. It has been performed in less than the hour.

I talked commonplaces to-day with a man at this hotel, who told me he had lived in Boston, until I found out it was Jacob Perkins. He says it is not true that he has failed for want of ma- terial strong enough to hold his force. He says he has succeeded in everything he has under- taken, but in making money.