CHAP. IX. STEPHENSON'S INTRODUCTION TO MR. PEASE. 153 



him. They were invited in, on which one of the 

 visitors introduced himself as Nicholas Wood, viewer at 

 Killingworth, and then, turning to his companion, he 

 introduced him to Mr. Pease as George Stephenson, of 

 the same place. Mr. Stephenson came forward and 

 handed to Mr. Pease a letter from Mr. Lambert, the 

 manager at Killingworth, in which it was stated that 

 the bearer was the engine-wright at the pits, that 

 he had had experience in the laying out of railways 

 and had given satisfaction to his employers, and that 

 he would therefore recommend him to the notice of 

 Mr. Pease if he stood in need of the services of such 

 a person. 



Mr. Pease entered into conversation with his visitors, 

 and soon ascertained the object of their errand. Stephen^ 

 son had heard of the passing of the Stockton and Darling* 

 ton Act, and desiring to increase his railway experience, 

 and also to employ in some larger field the practical 

 knowledge he had already gained, he determined to 

 visit Mr. Pease, the known projector of the undertaking, 

 with the view of being employed to carry it out. He 

 had brought with him his friend Nicholas Wood, for 

 the purpose at the same time of relieving his diffidence, 

 and supporting his application. 



Mr. Pease liked the appearance of his visitor. " There 

 was," as he afterwards remarked, in speaking of Stephen- 

 son, " such an honest, sensible look about -him, and 

 he seemed so modest and unpretending. He spoke in 

 the strong Northumbrian dialect of his district, and 

 described himself as ' only the engine-wright at Killing- 

 worth ; that's what he was.' 



Mr. Pease soon saw that our engineer was the very 

 man for his purpose. The whole plans of the railway 

 being still in an undetermined state, Mr. Pease was glad 

 to have the opportunity of gathering from George Ste- 

 phenson the results of his experience. The latter strongly 

 recommended a railway in preference to a tramroad, in 



