Autograph Letter Signed

London, 1853. unbound. very good(+). Fine content A.L.S. 4to., 3 pages, Gloucester Square, London, watermarked 1853, to fellow engineer and bridge builder Peter Smythe, describing the ordeal that caused him to cancel a visit, in part: "...To test the truth of [Robert] Burns' lines 'The best laid schemes of mice and men - Gang aft a "glee"' - On arriving at the Watford Tunnel I found one of my own Engines had run off the rails and unceremoniously blocking up both rail lines - Here all traffic had stopped and after upwards of 3 hours later I gave up the idea of Aylesbury and returned to London much fatigued by the first train that was liberated. My second attempt will I hope be more fortunate in paying you a visit..." Condition: usual folds as expected - otherwise very good.