BRADSHAW'S RAILWAY GITIDE, the pioneer. and still the type, of that now exten sive class of publications whose object is'Io convey all necessary information in regard to traveling. It derives its name from George Bradshaw, originally an engraver and printer in Manchester, who, in 1839. issued an occasional work called the Railway Com panion, which was corrected by means of another work, in the form of a broad sheet. styled the Monthly Time TaMes. This sheet was delayed to the 5th or 6111 of the mouth, and was subject to changes made by the companies, perhaps in the middle, or even the latter end of the month. By great efforts, the railway companies were induced to consent to adjust their tables, once for all, for the beginning of each month; and Mr. Bradshaw having established an agency in London, the first number of the monthly Rtilway brought out in Dec., 1841. The second number now before us. published "1st month (Jan.), 1842," runs to 32 pages, and contains 42 or 43 lines of railway, in England only, without any advertisements. Through the suggestions and exertion:, of Mr. W. f. Adams., the London agent and publisher, the plan was gradually enlarged and perfected. and resulted iu the Railway and Stearn-nari:qation Guide for Great Britain and Ireland, so well known to the public. The Guide now extends to
upwards of 450 pages, which comprise the needful knowledge regarding all lines and branches in the three kingdoms; besides copious steamboat information; full details regarding coaching in Scotland; and numerous advertisements—price 6d. The informa tion is obtained from the companies, at the last moment, in time to appear on the 1st of the month. The Guide has attained an immense circulation, and given birth to many publications of a similar character. Its plan has been imitated in ,France and Germany. In America, and Alyea at the .antipodO, vli(rd, a Dradshato is published at Sydney; and in spite of many rivals, the original work bas always maintained its place in general estimation.
In 1847, the first number of Brodshaw's Continental Rai:tray Guide was issued, which has prospered no less than the British Guide. addition to the tables, as furnished bv the companies abroad, it contains a large quantity of topographical informetion. A series of haw/Lau/a was also projected liy Mr. Bradshaw, which includes Great Britain, France, Switzerland, etc., but is still incomplete. The handbooks of the Orerlan4Journey, and to the Presidencies of India, were published lifter Mr. Bradshaw's death, which occurred in 1853.