ng with the subject thus drawn to a conclusion,
to pronounce any panegyric on the character and achievements of George
and Robert Stephenson. These for the most part speak for themselves.
Both were emphatically true men, exhibiting in their lives many sterling
qualities. No beginning could have been less promising than that of the
elder Stephenson. Born in a poor condition, yet rich in spirit, he was
from the first compelled to rely upon himself; and every step of advance
which he made was conquered by patient labour. Whether working as a
brakesman or an engineer, his mind was always full of the work in hand.
He gave himself thoroughly up to it. Like the painter, he might say that
he had become great "by neglecting nothing." Whatever he was engaged
upon, he was as careful of the details as if each were itself the whole.
He did all thoroughly and honestly. There was no "scamping" with him.
When a workman he put his brains and labour into his work; and when a
master he put his conscience and character into it. He would have no
slop-work executed merely for the sake of profit. The materials must be
as genuine as the workmanship was skilful. The structures which he
designed and executed were distinguished for their thoroughness and
solidity; his locomotives were famous for their durability and excellent
working qualities. The engines which he sent to the United States in
1832 are still in good condition; and even the engines built by him for
the Killingworth Colliery, upwards of thirty years ago, are working
steadily there to this day. All his work was honest, representing the
actual character of the man.

He was ready to turn his hand to anything--shoes and clocks, railways and
locomotives. He contrived his safety-lamp with the object of saving
pitmen's lives, and perilled his own life in testing it. Whatever work
was nearest him, he turned to and did it. With him to resolve was to do.
Many men knew far more than he; but none were more ready forthwith to
apply what he did know to practical purposes. It was while working at
Willington as a brakes-man, that he first learnt how best to handle a
spade in throwing ballast out of the ships' holds. This casual
employment seems to have left upon his mind the strongest impression of
what "hard work" was; and he often used to revert to it, and say to the
young men about him, "Ah, ye lads! there's none o' ye know what _wark_
is." Mr. Gooch says he was proud of the de