It is a biographical book. Although most people have some conception and experience of the miracle of the age known as the railway, there are few who have even a general understanding of it, and fewer still who possess definite knowledge of its ramifications and details. Some such summary as Mr. Acworth gives is requisite to convey a real and lasting impression of the immensity of the organization and its daily effect upon the present conditions of life. Mr. Acworth has lost no time in following up his interesting book on English railways with a very readable companion volume. This is a concise review of the past history of Scottish railway enterprise, and a suggestive survey of the present outlook, with its notable activity of competition and exploitation. From both aspects Mr. Acworth’s book, with its admirable map of existing lines and lines in progress, is eminently satisfactory. Burning questions of amalgamation or of competitive and retaliatory policies are treated with discretion. They are discussed, as was inevitable, but discussed within sober and proper bounds.
