CHAP. IX. DISCUSSIONS WITH MR. PEASE. 163 



question of means ; and Stephenson did not think he 

 had capital enough for the purpose. He told Mr. Pease 

 that he could advance a thousand pounds the amount 

 of the testimonial presented by the coal-owners for his 

 safety-lamp invention, which he had still left untouched ; 

 hut he did not think this sufficient for the purpose, and 

 he thought that he should require at least another thou- 

 sand pounds. Mr. Pease had been very much struck 

 with the successful performances of the Killingworth 

 engine ; and being an accurate judge of character, he 

 was not slow to perceive that he could not go far wrong 

 in linking a portion of his fortune with the energy and 

 industry of George Stephenson. He consulted his frien 

 Thomas Richardson in the matter ; and the two consente 

 to advance 500. each for the purpose of establishing th 

 engine factory at Newcastle. A piece of land was accor 

 dingly purchased in Forth Street, in August, 1823, on 

 which a small building was erected the nucleus of the 

 gigantic establishment which was afterwards formed \ 

 around it ; and active operations commenced early in ; 

 1824. 



While the Stockton and Darlington Railway works 

 were in progress, Mr. Stephenson held many interesting 

 discussions with Mr. Pease, on points connected with 

 its construction and working, the determination of which 

 in a great measure affected the formation and working 

 of all future railways. The most important points were 

 these : 1. The comparative merits of cast and wrought 

 iron rails. 2. The gauge of the railway. 3. The em- 

 ployment of horse or engine power in working it, when 

 ready for traffic. 



The kind of rails to be laid down to form the per- 

 manent road was a matter of considerable importance. 

 A wooden tramroad had been contemplated when the 

 first Act was applied for ; but Stephenson having l 

 advised that an iron road should be laid down, he was 

 instructed to draw up a specification of the rails. He 



M 2 



