em. He did not care much, either,
for abstruse mechanics, but only for the experimental and practical, as
is usually the case with those whose knowledge has been self-acquired.

Even at his advanced age, the spirit of frolic had not left him. When
proceeding from Chesterfield station to Tapton House with his friends, he
would almost invariably challenge them to a race up the steep path,
partly formed of stone steps, along the hill side. And he would
struggle, as of old, to keep the front place, though by this time his
"wind" had greatly failed. He would occasionally invite an old friend to
take a quiet wrestle with him on the lawn, to keep up his skill, and
perhaps to try some new "knack" of throwing. In the evening, he would
sometimes indulge his visitors by reciting the old pastoral of "Damon and
Phyllis," or singing his favourite song of "John Anderson my Joe." But
his greatest glory amongst those with whom he was most intimate, was a
"crowdie!" "Let's have a crowdie night," he would say; and forthwith a
kettle of boiling water was ordered in, with a basin of oatmeal. Taking
a large bowl, containing a sufficiency of hot water, and placing it
between his knees, he poured in oatmeal with one hand, and stirred the
mixture vigorously with the other. When enough meal had been added, and
the stirring was completed, the crowdie was made. It was then supped
with new milk, and Stephenson generally pronounced it "capital!" It was
the diet to which he had been accustomed when a working man, and all the
dainties with which he had become familiar in recent years had not
spoiled his simple tastes. To enjoy crowdie at his age, besides,
indicated that he still possessed that quality on which no doubt much of
his practical success in life had depended,--a strong and healthy
digestion.

He would also frequently invite to his house the humbler companions of
his early life, and take pleasure in talking over old times with them.
He never assumed any of the bearings of a great man on such occasions,
but treated the visitors with the same friendliness and respect as if
they had been his equals, sending them away pleased with themselves and
delighted with him. At other times, needy men who had known him in youth
would knock at his door, and they were never refused access. But if he
had heard of any misconduct on their part he would rate them soundly.
One who knew him intimately in private life has seen him exhorting such
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