In every great city there are upon all but the minor streets steel plate-ways carrying electric currents, and upon which the ordinary vehicles run without noise or jolting; although the excellent condition of the pavements would seem to render this unnecessary.
The street paving is monolithic (that is, all in one piece), of an artificial stone as hard as good limestone; giving a surface sufficiently gritty to ensure good hold for the feet of the few horses which are employed, and yet leaving the surface smooth, in order that it may be kept clean and give good traction for the short space of time in which vehicles (which ordinarily take the tracks on the plate-ways) are running over it.
In New York City, Arcade railways, with various ramifications, extend along the main arteries of travel, and give rapid transit to citizens and visitors alike. Double tracks in each direction insure absolute safety, while the express trains, stopping only at principal stations, have their separate way; the local trains, stopping at every block, taking the outer one of each pair of tracks. The motive power here employed is electricity, partly brought on from Niagara and other power-producing stations, and partly
