CHAP. XVIII. THE NEWCASTLE AND BEBWICK. 401 



estimation; and at length he had victoriously esta- 

 blished the railway system, and went back amongst his 

 townsmen to receive their greeting. 



After the opening of this railway, the project of 

 the East Coast line from Newcastle to Berwick was 

 revived; and George Stephenson, who had already 

 identified himself with the question, and was intimately 

 acquainted with every foot of the ground, was again 

 called upon to assist the promoters with his judgment 

 and experience. He again recommended as strongly 

 as before the line he had previously surveyed ; and on 

 its being adopted by the local committee, the necessary 

 steps were taken to have the scheme brought before 

 Parliament in the ensuing session. The East Coast 

 line was not, however, to be allowed to pass without a 

 fight. On the contrary, it had to encounter as stout 

 an opposition as Stephenson had ever experienced. 



We have already stated that about this time the 

 plan of substituting atmospheric pressure for locomotive 

 steam-power in the working of railways, had become 

 very popular. Many eminent engineers avowedly sup- 

 ported atmospheric in preference to locomotive lines ; 

 and there was a strong party in Parliament, headed by 

 the Prime Minister, who were much disposed in their 

 favour. Mr. Brunei warmly espoused the atmospheric 

 principle, and his persuasive manner, as well as his 

 admitted scientific ability, unquestionably exercised con- 

 siderable influence in determining the views of many 

 leading members of both Houses on the subject. Amongst 

 others, Lord Howick, one of the members for Northum- 

 berland, adopted the new principle, and, possessing great 

 local influence, he succeeded in forming a powerful 

 confederacy of the landed gentry in favour of Brunei's 

 atmospheric railway through that county. 



George Stephenson could not brook the idea of seeing 

 the locomotive, for which he had fought so many stout 

 battles, pushed to one side, and that in the very county 



VOL. in. 2 D 



