NEW schemes, not even dream'd of once before, Were lauded loudly, puff'd off even more Than e'en the grand trunk-system that imparts Connection to our chief commercial marts. Nor was this MANIA, this eccentric roar, Confined alone within Britannia's shore; It made its way at that eventful time To every land without respect to clime. Vast were the schemes that now came forth in France, Though not so wont in Britain's wake t' advance. Europe was smitten to the very core, And thence the MANIA raged from shore to shore: East and West Indies groan'd 'neath the disease, Its virulence uncheck'd by rolling seas. Nay, e'en Van Diemen's Land and New South Wales Determined, like the rest, to have their rails. |