(.'HAP. XX. ADVICE TO YOUTH. 449 



He would also frequently invite to his house the 

 humbler companions of his early life, and take pleasure 

 in talking over old times with them. He never 

 assumed any of the bearings of a great man on such 

 occasions, but treated the visitors with the same friend- 

 liness and respect as if they had been his equals, sending 

 them away pleased with themselves and delighted with 

 him. At other times, needy men who had known him 

 in youth would knock at his door, and they were never 

 refused access. But if he had heard of any misconduct 

 on their part, he would rate them soundly. One who 

 knew him intimately in private life has seen him ex- 

 horting such backsliders, and denouncing their miscon- 

 duct and imprudence, with the tears streaming down his 

 cheeks. And he would generally conclude by opening 

 his purse, and giving them the help which they needed 

 " to make a fresh start in the world." 



Young men would call upon him for advice or assist- 

 ance in commencing a professional career. When he 

 noted their industry, prudence, and good sense, he was 

 always ready. But, hating foppery and frippery above 

 all things, he would reprove any tendency to this weak- 

 ness which he observed in the applicants. One day, a 

 youth desirous of becoming an engineer called upon 

 him, flourishing a gold-headed cane : Mr. Stephenson 

 said, " Put by that stick, my man, and then I will speak 

 to you." To another extensively decorated gentleman, 

 he one day said, " You will, I hope, Mr. - , excuse 

 me ; I am a plain-spoken person, and am sorry to see 

 a nice-looking and rather clever young man like you 

 disfigured with that fine-patterned waistcoat, and all 

 these chains and fang-clangs. If I, sir, had bothered 

 my head with such things at your age, I would not 

 have been where I am now." 



Mr. Stephenson's life at Tapton during his later years 

 was occasionally diversified with a visit to London. His 

 engineering business having become limited, he gene- 



VOL. III. 2 G 



