he
pit, and also a pumping-engine for Long Benton Colliery, both of which
proved quite successful. Amongst other works of this time, he projected
and laid down a self-acting incline along the declivity which fell
towards the coal-loading place near Willington, where he had officiated
as brakesman; and he so arranged it, that the full waggons descending
drew the empty waggons up the railroad. This was one of the first
self-acting inclines laid down in the district.

Stephenson had now much better opportunities than hitherto for improving
himself in mechanics. His familiar acquaintance with the steam-engine
proved of great value to him. His shrewd insight, and his intimate
practical acquaintance with its mechanism, enabled him to apprehend, as
if by intuition, its most abstruse and difficult combinations. The
practical study which he had given to it when a workman, and the patient
manner in which he had groped his way through all the details of the
machine, gave him the power of a master in dealing with it as applied to
colliery purposes.

Sir Thomas Liddell was frequently about the works, and took pleasure in
giving every encouragement to the engine-wright in his efforts after
improvement. The subject of the locomotive engine was already closely
occupying Stephenson's attention; although it was still regarded as a
curious and costly toy, of comparatively little real use. But he had at
an early period detected its practical value, and formed an adequate
conception of the might which as yet slumbered within it; and he now bent
his entire faculties to the development of its extraordinary powers.

[Picture: Colliers' Cottages at Long Benton]

CHAPTER V.
EARLY HISTORY OF THE LOCOMOTIVE--GEORGE STEPHENSON BEGINS ITS
IMPROVEMENT.

The rapid increase in the coal-trade of the Tyne about the beginning of
the present century had the effect of stimulating the ingenuity of
mechanics, and encouraging them to devise improved methods of
transporting the coal from the pits to the shipping places. From our
introductory chapter, it will have been observed that the improvements
which had thus far been effected were confined almost entirely to the
road. The railway waggons still continued to be drawn by horses. By
improving and flattening the tramway, considerable economy in horse-power
had indeed been secured; but unless some more effective method of
mechanical traction could be devised, it was clear t