GEORGE STEPHENSON. 



Killingworth Collieries. Since its introduction no accident is 

 known to have taken place from its use. To distinguish it from 

 the *' Davy " lamp it is known as the " Geordy " lamp. 

 Stephenson's claim for the independent invention of a safety- 

 lamp was acknowledged at a public dinner given in the 

 Assembly Rooms at Newcastle, in January, 1818, when he was 

 presented with ;^iooo and a silver tankard. Dr. Smiles is of 

 opinion that the " Geordy " lamp, when severely tested in the 

 mines by an escape of gas, is decidedly the safer of the two. 

 Cases have occurred where the "Davy" lamp has grown red- 

 hot in an explosive atmosphere, while the "Geordy" was 

 entirely extinguished. 



The locomotives constructed by George Stephenson in 18 16 

 were, until lately, working regularly on the Killing\vorth 

 railway, dragging coal trains at the rate of between five and six 

 miles an-hour. This says much for the thoroughness with 

 which they were manufactured. "There were many highly- 

 educated engineers," writes Dr. Smiles, " living in his day, who 

 knew vastly more than he did — trained as they had been in all 

 the science and learning of the schools ; but there was none so 

 apt in applying what they knew to practical purposes as the 

 Killingworth ' brakesman ' and * engine-wright.' The great 

 secret of his success, however, was his cheerful perseverance. 

 He was never cast down by obstacles, but seemed to take a 

 pleasure in grappling with them, and he always rose from each 

 encounter a stronger as well as a wiser man. He knew nothing 

 of those sickly phantasies which men, who suppose themselves 

 to be 'geniuses,' are so apt to indulge in ; nor did his poverty or 

 necessities ever impair the elasticity of his character. When he 

 failed in one attempt, he tried again and again, until eventually 

 he succeeded." Sneaking at a soire'e of the Leeds Mechanics' 



