e relish the appearance of Mr. Brunel as the engineer of Lord
Howick's scheme, in opposition to the line which had occupied his
thoughts and been the object of his strenuous advocacy for so many years.
When Stephenson first met Brunel in Newcastle, he good-naturedly shook
him by the collar, and asked "What business he had north of the Tyne?"
George gave him to understand that they were to have a fair stand-up
fight for the ground, and, shaking hands before the battle like
Englishmen, they parted in good humour. A public meeting was held at
Newcastle in the following December, when, after a full discussion of the
merits of the respective plans, Stephenson's line was almost unanimously
adopted as the best.

The rival projects went before Parliament in 1845, and a severe contest
ensued. The display of ability and tactics on both sides was great.
Robert Stephenson was examined at great length as to the merits of the
locomotive line, and Brunel at equally great length as to the merits of
the atmospheric system. Mr. Brunel, in his evidence, said that after
numerous experiments, he had arrived at the conclusion that the
mechanical contrivance of the atmospheric system was perfectly
applicable, and he believed that it would likewise be more economical in
most cases than locomotive power. "In short," said he, "rapidity,
comfort, safety, and economy, are its chief recommendations."

But the locomotive again triumphed. The Stephenson Coast Line secured
the approval of Parliament; and the shareholders in the Atmospheric
Company were happily prevented investing their capital in what would
unquestionably have proved a gigantic blunder. For, less than three
years later, the whole of the atmospheric tubes which had been laid down
on other lines were pulled up and the materials sold--including Mr.
Brunel's immense tube on the South Devon Railway--to make way for the
working of the locomotive engine. George Stephenson's first verdict of
"It won't do," was thus conclusively confirmed.

Robert Stephenson used afterwards to describe with great gusto an
interview which took place between Lord Howick and his father, at his
office in Great George Street, during the progress of the bill in
Parliament. His father was in the outer office, where he used to spend a
good deal of his spare time; occasionally taking a quiet wrestle with a
friend when nothing else was stirring. {309} On the day in question,
George was standing with his back