404 THE STEPHENSON LINE CARRIED. CHAP. XVIIT. 



occupied on important business just at present," was 

 George's answer, " but I can tell you far better than lie 

 can what nonsense the atmospheric system is : Robert's 

 good-natured, you see, and if your Lordship were to get 

 alongside of him you might talk him over ; so you 

 have been quite lucky in meeting with me. Now, just 

 look at the question of expense," and then he pro- 

 ceeded in his strong Doric to explain his views in detail, 

 until Lord Howick could stand it no longer, and he rose 

 and walked towards the door. George followed him 

 down stairs, to finish his demolition of the atmospheric 

 system, and his parting words were, " You may take 

 my word for it, my Lord, it will never answer." George 

 afterwards told his son with glee of " the settler " he 

 had given Lord Howick. 



So closely were the Stephensons identified with this 

 measure, and so great was the personal interest which 

 they were both known to take in its success, that, on 

 the news of the triumph of the bill reaching Newcastle, 

 a sort of general holiday took place, and the workmen 

 belonging to the Stephenson Locomotive Factory, up- 

 wards of eight hundred in number, walked in procession 

 through the principal streets of the town, accompanied 

 with music and banners. 



It is unnecessary to enter into any description of the 

 works on the Newcastle and Berwick Railway. There 

 are no fewer than a hundred and ten bridges of all sorts 

 on the line some under and some over it, the viaducts 

 over the Ouseburn, the Wansbeck, and the Coquet, being 

 of considerable importance. But by far the most for- 

 midable piece of masonry work on this railway, is at its 

 northern extremity, where it passes across the Tweed 

 into Scotland, immediately opposite the formerly re- 

 doubtable castle of Berwick. Not many centuries had 

 passed since the district amidst which this bridge stands 

 was the scene of almost constant warfare. Berwick was 

 jegarded as the key of Scotland, and was fiercely fought 



