STBEBT TRAM WAYS.

Again the question of street tramrways has arisen, and the BilU for them both north and south of tho Thames have passed tho Select Committee of the House of Commons, and bave now only to go beforo the Lords, and, in spite of tho natural and very strenuous opposition of the London General Omnnbus Company, becomo law. The proposed new tramways differ for the better in every essential from those which were laid down by MIr. Train,and which becamo so intensely unpopular a few years ago. These tramways then, indeed, deserved all the obloquy which was showered on them from all sides. They were, in most cases, put *lown against the 'will of the street authorities, and tho high, rough projection of the rails made them at all times a nuisance, and often a danger, to the passing trafflc. In plain terms, the tramways then wero a conspicuous failure: not-for want of traffic, for of that they had plenty, but from the outcry that was very deservedly raised against them on account of the obstructions which they caused to all other traffic. Tho public accomumodation was admitted, but the nuisance was weighed in the balance and found to preponderate, and the obnoxious tramways wero removed amid general satisfaction. In fact, tho tram. ways which Mr. Train proposed for London wero the most obsolete- types of those which are now being replaced by proper lines in New York and Philadelphia. The iutended trains are very differently made from those old obstructions. The rail is to be perfectly level with the road, and the thin flange of the car wlheels runs in a narrow shallow groove below the level of the rail itself. Thus the very lightest description of vehicle,from a dogeart dowvn to a perambulator or a velocipede, can cross the tramway at any part without the slightest hindrance. Indeed, appareutly, street trafflic from all parts will bh very considerablo gainers by these tramways, for the [ouse of Commons' Committee has made such a bargain on behalf of the public as has secured to the latter such term3 as they perhap3 would never have dreamt of making for themselves. One clause provides that there shall be no monopoly of the tram, but that its use shall be open to all vehicles, whether light or heavy, with the simple condition that all heavy traffic shall draw off when the tram cars overtake them; for the tramcars cannot, of course, turn aside, as they run on flanged wlieels in their proper grooves. Subject to this condition, the tram will be open to all carriages, and if the tram is laid as it is intended to be laid-that is, on a level surface of granite paving, there is no doubt that the privilege of driving along it will be most liberally used. Another clause gives to the street authorities the power of purchasing the tramways it so inclined. Another clauso places them under timo...