The Author's acknowledgments are due to the following gentlemen, amongst others, for much valuable information as to the successive improvements effected by Mr. Stephenson in the locomotive engine, and also with reference to the various railways at home and abroad, with which he was professionally connected:- Mr. Robert Stephenson, M. P.: Mr. Edward Pease, of Darlington; Mr. John Dixon, C. E; Mr. John Bourne, C.E.; Mr. Thomas Sopwith, C.E.; Sir Joshua Walmsley; Mr. Jonathan Foster, of Wylam; Mr. Charles Parker; Mr. William Kell, and Mr. Clephan, of Gateshead. Many interesting facts, relating to Mr. Stephenson's early career, have been obtained from William Coe and other humble persons, who were only too proud to have the opportunity of communicating what they remembered of their distinguished fellow-workman. The Author is also under obligations to Mr. F. Swanwick, C.E., Mr. C. Binns, of Clay Cross, and Mr. Vaughan, of Snibston, for various particulars illustrative of Mr. Stephenson's private life and habits while residing at Liverpool, Alton Grange, and Tapton House, and which supply an admitted defect in the earlier editions of this biography. The Portrait prefixed to this volume is copied, by their special permission, from a very beautiful engraving of Lucas's whole-length portrait, published by Messrs. Henry Graves and Co., Pall Mall. CONTENTS. The Village of Wylam.-Birthplace of George Stephenson. - His Is employed as a Herd-boy.-Models Clay Engines. - Labours a-field. - - 8-15 Newburn. Experiments in Artificial Bird-hatching. - Puts himself to School, and learns to Read and Write. - Learns Arithmetic. — Love - - Ekes out his Earnings by Shoe-mending. Falls in Love. Saves his First Guinea. Sobriety. - Quarrel and Fight with Ned Removal to Willington.- Marriage. Attempts to invent Perpetual Motion. Makes Shoes and Shoe Lasts. — Clock-cleaning. — Birth of - Killingworth Colliery. - Death of his Wife. Makes an Improvement in a Pumping Appointed Brakesman at Killingworth. United States. Takes a Contract for Engine-brakcing. Makes Improvements in Pumping Engines, and acquires Celebrity as a 35-47 His Studies with John Wigham, the Farmer's Son. Sends his Son to School. - - - The Cottage at West Moor.-Ingenuity of his Contrivances. Is appointed Engine-wright of the Colliery. Erects his First Engine. — Evening Studies. - His Obligations to the The Beginnings of Railways and Locomotives. Early Tramroads. -- Mr. Stephenson contemplates building a Locomotive. — Is encouraged Fatal Accidents from Explosions in Coal Mines. Blasts in the Killing- - - 97-112 -- - His Reply. — Dates of the respective Controversy on the Subject. - Testimonials presented Further Improvements in the Locomotive. - Invents an improved Rail and Chair. - Invents Steam Springs. - Experiments on Friction and Gravity. Views on Flat Gradients. - Superiority of Iron Roads 135-146 His Self-education continued. Views on Education. — The Sun-dial at 147-155 Slow Progress of Opinion as to Railway Locomotion.· - 156-173 Defective Communication between Liverpool and Manchester. |