144 ROBERT'S PURSUITS AT KILLINGWORTH. CHAP. VIII. 



more especially with reference to the growing powers of 

 the locomotive engine. The son was even more enthu- 

 siastic than the father on this subject. Robert would 

 suggest alterations and improvements in this, that, and 

 the other detail of the machine. His father, on the 

 contrary, would offer every possible objection, defending 

 the existing arrangements, proud, nevertheless, of his 

 son's suggestions, and often warmed and excited by his 

 brilliant anticipations of the ultimate triumph of the 

 locomotive. 



These discussions probably had considerable influence 

 in inducing Mr. Stephenson to take the next important 

 step in the education of his son. Although Robert, who 

 was only nineteen years of age, was doing well, and was 

 certain at the expiration of his apprenticeship to rise to 

 a higher position, his father was not satisfied with the 

 amount of instruction which he had as yet given him. 

 Remembering the disadvantages under which he had 

 himself laboured in consequence of his ignorance of 

 practical chemistry during his investigations connected 

 with the safety-lamp, more especially with reference to 

 the properties of gas, as well as in the course of his 

 experiments with the object of improving the locomotive 

 engine, he determined to furnish his son with as com- 

 plete a scientific culture as his means would afford. He 

 was also of opinion that a proper training in technical 

 science was almost indispensable to success in the higher 

 walks of the engineer's profession ; and he determined 

 to give to his son that kind and degree of education 

 which he so much desired for himself. He would thus, 

 he knew, secure a hearty and generous co-worker in the 

 elaboration of the great ideas now looming before him, 

 and with their united practical and scientific knowledge 

 he probably felt that they would be equal to any enter- 

 prise. 



He accordingly took Robert from his labours as under- 

 1 viewer in the West Moor Pit, and, in the year 1821, 



