CHAP. XIII. THE " NOVELTY." 269 



The day fixed for the competition was the 1st of 

 October, but to allow sufficient time to get the locomo- 

 tives into good working order, the directors extended it 

 to the 6th. On the morning of the 6th, the ground at 

 Rainhill presented a lively appearance, and there was as 

 much excitement as if the St. Leger were about to be 

 run. Many thousand spectators looked on, amongst 

 whom were some of the first engineers and mechanicians 

 of the day. A stand was provided for the ladies ; 

 the "beauty and fashion" of the neighbourhood were 

 present, and the side of the railroad was lined with 

 carriages of all descriptions. 



LOCOMOTIVE COMPETITION AT RAINHILL. 



It was quite characteristic of the Stephensons, that, 

 although their engine did not stand first on the list for 

 trial, it was the first that was ready ; and it was accord- 

 ingly ordered out by the judges for an experimental trip. 

 Yet the "Rocket" was by no means "the favourite 

 with either the judges or the spectators. Nichola 

 AVood has since stated that a majority of the judge 

 were strongly predisposed in favour of the " Novelty,' 

 and that " nine-tenths, if not ten-tenths, of the persons 

 present, were against the "Rocket" because of its ap 

 pearance." l Nearly every person favoured some othei 



1 Mr. Wood's speech at Newcastle, 26th October, 1858. 



