1 SEPTEMBER 1967, Page 9

A hundred years ago

From the 'Spectator, 31 August 1867—The South- Eastern Railway is about to try a little experiment on the pockets of the public. It seems that gentle- men, even Members of Parliament, as the chairman says, with a sort of holy horror, ride second-class between Charing Cross and Cannon Street. They think fourpence quite enough, and are not careful of their dignity. So the chairman proposes to compel them to ride first by abolishing the second class, and "thus make our millionaires pay sixpence," and all other moderate people beside. We trust the millionaires will fight the public battle, and travel third till the South-Eastern comes back to its senses. and i.ecognizes that there are decent people in the -*Odd to whom sixpences and quiet are both valu- able.