to the fire, when Lord Howick called to
see Robert. Oh! thought George, he has come to try and talk Robert over
about that atmospheric gimcrack; but I'll tackle his Lordship. "Come in,
my Lord," said he, "Robert's busy; but I'll answer your purpose quite as
well; sit down here, if you please." George began, "Now, my Lord, I know
very well what you have come about: it's that atmospheric line in the
north; I will show you in less than five minutes that it can never
answer." "If Mr. Robert Stephenson is not at liberty, I can call again,"
said his Lordship. "He's certainly occupied on important business just
at present," was George's answer; "but I can tell you far better than he
can what nonsense the atmospheric system is: Robert's good-natured, you
see, and if your Lordship were to get alongside of him you might talk him
over; so you have been quite lucky in meeting with me. Now, just look at
the question of expense,"--and then he proceeded in his strong Doric to
explain his views in detail, until Lord Howick could stand it no longer,
and he rose and walked towards the door. George followed him down
stairs, to finish his demolition of the atmospheric system, and his
parting words were, "You may take my word for it, my Lord, it will never
answer." George afterwards told his son with glee of "the settler" he
had given Lord Howick.

So closely were the Stephensons identified with this measure, and so
great was the personal interest which they were both known to take in its
success, that, on the news of the triumph of the bill reaching Newcastle,
a sort of general holiday took place, and the workmen belonging to the
Stephenson Locomotive Factory, upwards of 800 in number, walked in
procession through the principal streets of the town, accompanied with
music and banners.

It is unnecessary to enter into any description of the works on the
Newcastle and Berwick Railway. There are no fewer than 110 bridges of
all sorts on the line--some under and some over it. But by far the most
formidable piece of masonry work on this railway is at its northern
extremity, where it passes across the Tweed into Scotland, immediately
opposite the formerly redoubtable castle of Berwick. Not many centuries
had passed since the district amidst which this bridge stands was the
scene of almost constant warfare. Berwick was regarded as the key of
Scotland, and was fiercely fought for, sometimes held by a Scotch and
sometimes by an English