2-798-988 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Eve of the 30th - correcting plans at a tavern, 1845. Finalising railway applications for the Board of Trade: 'The scene was an animated one...But an hour remained, and yet some thirty individuals were in waiting with huge piles of parchment and the various necessary documents. Anxiety was depicted on every countenance - some fearing that, after all the labour and excitement they had undergone, they would not be able to complete the requisite formalities within the very limited time that remained. Eager inquiries were made from one to the other as to the opinion whether those who had actually arrived with their plans would be allowed to remain and complete the business after the hour of twelve had arrived, and various and amusing were the mutual recitals made of the "hairbreadth" escapes and daring doings of those entrusted with the task of lodging the respective plans'. From "Illustrated London News", 1845, Vol VII.