X o8 HER OES OF INVENTION AND DISCO VER Y. 



that a cow were to stray upon the Hne and get in the way 

 of the engine, would not that, think you, be a very awkward 

 circumstance ? " " Yes," repUed the witness, with a twinkle in 

 his eye, " very awkward indeed— ;/^r the coo /" The honourable 

 member did not proceed further ^vith his cross-examination; 

 and, says Dr. Smiles, " to use a railway phrase, he was shunted." 



A premium of ^500 was at length offered for the best 

 engine, one that should not produce smoke, should draw three 

 times its own weight for thirty miles, at the rate of ten miles an- 

 hour, should be supported on springs, should not weigh more 

 than six tons, and should not cost more than ;^55o. At the 

 time appointed, four locomotives were presented for trial, and 

 the competition took place on the 6th of October, 1829, before 

 many thousand spectators. One of the competing engines, the 

 " Perseverance," made by Mr. Burstall, being found unable to 

 move at more than five or six miles an-hour, was withdrawn. 

 Another, called the "Novelty," made by Messrs. Braithwaite 

 & Ericsson, was unable to complete the trial owing to the 

 bellows for creating the blast having given way. A third, called 

 the " Sanspareil," submitted by Mr. Hackworth, succeeded in 

 drawing a load at the rate of fourteen miles an-hour ; but at its 

 eighth trip along the two-mile level which formed the course, 

 the cold-water pump got wrong, and it could proceed no further. 

 The " Rocket," made by George Stephenson, however, made 

 an experimental trip of twelve miles, which was performed 

 without accident in about fifty-three minutes. 



Another day was fixed for the final trial of the competing 

 engines; and on the morning of the 8th of October, the 

 " Rocket" was again ready for the contest. "On that occasion," 

 says Dr. Smiles, " the engine was taken to the extremity of the 

 stage, the fire-box was filled with coke, the fire lighted, and the 



