ilways constructed by him afforded for free
intercommunication between men in all parts of the world. Speaking in
the midst of his friends at Newcastle, in 1850, he observed:--

"It seems to me but as yesterday that I was engaged as an assistant in
laying out the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Since then, the
Liverpool and Manchester and a hundred other great works have sprung into
existence. As I look back upon these stupendous undertakings,
accomplished in so short a time, it seems as though we had realised in
our generation the fabled powers of the magician's wand. Hills have been
cut down and valleys filled up; and when these simple expedients have not
sufficed, high and magnificent viaducts have been raised, and if
mountains stood in the way, tunnels of unexampled magnitude have pierced
them through, bearing their triumphant attestation to the indomitable
energy of the nation, and the unrivalled skill of our artisans."

As respects the immense advantages of railways to mankind, there cannot
be two opinions. They exhibit, probably, the grandest organisation of
capital and labour that the world has yet seen. Although they have
unhappily occasioned great loss to many, the loss has been that of
individuals; whilst, as a national system, the gain has already been
enormous. As tending to multiply and spread abroad the conveniences of
life, opening up new fields of industry, bringing nations nearer to each
other, and thus promoting the great ends of civilisation, the founding of
the railway system by George Stephenson and his son must be regarded as
one of the most important events, if not the very greatest, in the first
half of this nineteenth century.

[Picture: The Stephenson Memorial Schools, Willington Quay]

INDEX.

ACCIDENTS in coal-mines, 89, 119.

Adam, Mr., counsel for Liverpool and Manchester Railway, 160, 166.

Alderson, Mr. (afterwards Baron), 160, 163, 165, 168.

Alton Grange, G. Stephenson's residence at, 234-6, 263.

Ambergate Railway slip, 259; Lime-works, 278.

Anna, Santa, mines at, 196.

Arnold, Dr., on Railways, 273.

Ashby-de-la-Zouch, 233.

Atmospheric Railway system, 286, 308.

* * * * *

BEAUMONT, Mr., his wooden waggon-ways, 5.

Belgium, G. Stephenson's visit to, 296.

Benton Colliery and village, 44, 47, 51, 61.

Berwick Royal Border Bridge, 311.

Birds and bird-nesting, 15, 17, 25, 58, 353, 375.

Birmingham and Der