here, when he acted
as one of the Vice-Presidents in the section of Mechanical Science.
Extraordinary changes had occurred in his own fortunes, as well as in the
face of the country, since he had first appeared before a scientific body
in Newcastle--the members of the Literary and Philosophical Institute--to
submit his safety-lamp for their examination. Twenty-three years had
passed over his head, full of honest work, of manful struggle; and the
humble "colliery engine-wright of the name of Stephenson" had achieved an
almost worldwide reputation as a public benefactor. His fellow-townsmen,
therefore, could not hesitate to recognise his merits and do honour to
his name. During the sittings of the Association, Mr. Stephenson took
the opportunity of paying a visit to Killingworth, accompanied by some of
the distinguished _savans_ whom he numbered amongst his friends. He
there pointed out to them, with a degree of honest pride, the cottage in
which he had lived for so many years, showed what parts of it had been
his own handiwork, and told them the story of the sun-dial over the door,
describing the study and the labour it had cost him and his son to
calculate its dimensions, and fix it in its place. The dial had been
serenely numbering the hours through the busy years that had elapsed
since that humble dwelling had been his home; during which the
Killingworth locomotive had become a great working power, and its
contriver had established the railway system, which was now rapidly
becoming extended in all parts of the world.

About the same time, his services were very much in request at the
meetings of Mechanics' Institutes held throughout the northern counties.
From an early period in his history, he had taken an active interest in
these institutions. While residing at Newcastle in 1824, shortly after
his locomotive foundry had been started in Forth-street, he presided at a
public meeting held in that town for the purpose of establishing a
Mechanics' Institute. The meeting was held; but as George Stephenson was
a man comparatively unknown even in Newcastle at that time, his name
failed to secure "an influential attendance." Among those who addressed
the meeting on the occasion was Joseph Locke, then his pupil, and
afterwards his rival as an engineer. The local papers scarcely noticed
the proceedings; yet the Mechanics' Institute was founded, and struggled
into existence. Years passed, and it was now felt to be an h