PREFACE. THE following Biography contains in a condensed form the STORY of the Life of GEORGE STEPHENSON. The author has been gratified to observe that the opinion which he ventured to express in the Preface to the original work, that such a Life would be found to furnish matter of interest as well as instruction, has been amply justified by the judgments of many able men, as well as by the generous reviews of the book which have appeared, and which he takes this opportunity of acknowledging. The present work has been prepared in some measure in compliance with a wish generally expressed, that the Biography should be published in a more accessible form for general readers, and also with a view to its being adopted as a manual for the young. To such the author trusts the book will prove attractive as well as useful, by reason of the faithful record which it contains of a true man's career, and the practical lessons which it teaches, of steady industry, patient encounter with difficulties, and unflagging perseverance in the accomplishment of great and worthy objects. The larger work contains full details respecting the history of the invention of the Locomotive Engine, and of the Railway system generally, together with the able Resumé by Mr. Robert Stephenson, of British Railways and their Results, delivered before the Institution of Civil Engineers; and the author would accordingly refer such readers as desire to obtain more full information on those subjects, to that work, which has already attained its Fifth Edition. The Illustrations to this volume are from sketches made on the spot by Mr. Edward Whymper. London, April, 1859. CONTENTS. brakesmen - Pumping and winding engines-Colliery tramroads and rail- Burn-Employed as cowherd - Models clay engines - Labours a-field — Drives a gin-horse-Birdnesting-Assistant fireman-Jolly's Close- - His teachers, Robin Cowens and Andrew Robertson-Learns arithmetic — Improves himself during the night-shift - Wages 21-31 Brakesman at Willington His marriage Daily life-Attempts to invent money for his son's education - Takes contract for engine-brakeing — Im- proves the winding-engine — Improves a pumping-engine-His celebrity as Continued self-culture- Encounter with difficulty-His studies with John Wigham Sobriety and thrift — Sells his guineas at a profit- His cottage at West Moor - His blackbird Repairs watches - Ingenious contrivances Competition in last-making- Pitmen's theory of the earth - His physical vigour - Made colliery engine-wright - His improvements in the colliery working-Improves himself in mechanics- Education of his son Con- structs a sun-dial - Electric kite- The Rev. Mr. Turner First inventors of locomotives - Murdock's model Trevithick's locomotive - Exhibited in London-Merthyr Tydvil experiment-Blenkinsop's engine -Chapman's - Brunton's Mechanical Traveller- Mr. Blackett of Wylam's experiments - Stephenson studies the subject of locomotive construction Lays down inclined planes - Builds his first locomotive, or "travelling engine" The engine described - Its performances Invention of the steam-blast His second locomotive- Summary of the improvements Explosions of fire-damp in collieries - Accident in Killingworth pit - Ste- phenson's intrepid conduct― Meditates a safety-lamp - Experiments with fire-damp - His theory of explosions His first safety-lamp-Courage in testing it Success of the experiment "Blows up"- Improves his lamp- Continues his experiments His second lamp-His third lamp- Is charged with pirating Sir H. Davy's idea - Controversy on the subject Mr. Stephenson's defence Examination of witnesses - Testimonial presented to Mr. Stephenson - Superior safety of the Geordy lamp 76-99 - New rail and chair-Makes further improvements in the engine- Scarcity of skilled workmen - Invention of steam springs-Invents a dynamometer - His experiments on friction - His views of locomotion on common roads - Indifference of the public to the invention of the loco- motive — Again thinks of emigrating to the United States - The Hetton railway constructed and opened Education of his son- Accident in |