It has been turned on the north by the Vermont Central, on the south by the Hartford and Erie. It has been passed over steep grades by the Boston and Albany. At North Adams it is compressed into narrow limits in the Hoosac Mountain, and the bold conception was formed to pierce directly through it at this point. First, the effort was made to accomplish the great undertaking by private capital, aided by a state loan. The difficulties were underrated and the plan failed. Finally, the State assumed the enterprise and has since, with varying fortunes but unfaltering energy, prosecuted it to a successful result. Within the current year there can be little doubt of the completion of the work. The Tunnel will be opened for traffic and a new line formed between Boston and the West, shorter by eleven miles than any existing route; with easy grades, which, making the usual allowance for the obstruction caused by heavy grades to railroad traffic--will render it constructively shorter than any route by at least twenty miles, or ten per cent., between Boston and Albany. Its cost to the State, including the Troy and Greenfield Railroad, will be at least twelve millions, raised by loans, on which the interest is paid by taxation. Since the plan of the Tunnel was formed new lines of road have been projected and built, connecting it with every part of the State, and there is scarcely a town from Berkshire to Provincetown, which does not to-day stand in position to reap its share of the benefit expected to follow the completion of this great public enterprise.