CHAPTER X

RAILWAYS

PROBABLY nowhere in the world can the traveller by rail
move with more comfort than in India. Such.at least
have been the experiences of railway travel until quite
recently. There are, however, signs that the extent of
European passenger traffic in future may exceed the
limits of space that has hitherto been possible to accord.
When journeys lasting through several days and nights con-‘inuously
 are the constant experience of all Indian officials,
it is necessary that accommodation should be both sufficient
 and good, and certainly in neither respect has
[ndian railway traffic failed so far. Nor are the arrangements
 made for food and supplies generally deficient.
There are, of course, exceptions. There are lines on
which the improvident traveller may starve if he does not
hedge against such calamity by making his own arrangements
 ; but taking them all round, Indian railways compare
favourably with those of England, or of the Continent, in
the matter of personal comfort,
When complaints are heard (and they are often heard)
of overcrowding and discomfort, it is generally the case
that the passengers have themselves to thank for - it.
Liberal margin is allowed by the railway authorities in
the matter of personal baggage, and the result is that an
unnecessary amount of such baggage is packed by each
individual into the carriage along with himself. In India,
as is well known, it is usual for every European traveller
to carry a full complement of bedding about with him ;
from this he is never separated, and it is a part of his
creed to observe all the formalities and the accessories
that would accompany bedtime retirement in an English
home. So that he starts with a recognised accompaninly
