GE OR GE STEPHENSON. 1 1 5 



lished between London and Newcastle. The author of this 

 system of traveUing had Hved long enough for his fame but not 

 long enough for his country. He had reared to himself a monu- 

 ment more durable than brass or marble, and based it on a 

 foundation whereon it would rest unshaken by the storms of time." 

 Stephenson replied as follows : "As the honourable member," 

 said he, " has referred to the engineering efforts of my early 

 days, it may not be amiss if I say a few words to you on that 

 subject, more especially for the encouragement of my younger 

 friends. Mr. Liddell has told you that in my early days I 

 worked at an engine at a coal-pit. I had then to work early 

 and late, and my employment was a most laborious one. For 

 about twenty years I had often to rise to my labour at one and 

 two o'clock in the morning, and worked till late at night. Time 

 rolled on, and I had the happiness to make some improvements 

 in engine-work. The company will be gratified when I tell 

 them that the first locomotive that I made was at Killingworth 

 Colliery. The owners were pleased with what I had done in 

 the collieries, and I then proposed to make an engine to work 

 upon the smooth rails. It was with Lord Ravensworth's money 

 that my first locomotive was built. Yes, Lord Ravensworth 

 and his partners were the first gentlemen to entrust me with 

 money to make a locomotive. This was more than thirty years 

 ago, and we first called it 'My Lord.' I then stated to 

 some of my friends now living that those high velocities with 

 which we are now so familiar would sooner or later be attained, 

 and that there was no limit to the speed of such an engine, pro- 

 vided the works could be made to stand ; but nobody would 

 believe me at that time. The engines could not perform the 

 high velocities now reached when they were first invented, but, 

 by their superior construction, an immense speed is now capable 



