CHAP. XX. VISIT TO DRAYTON MANOR. 451 



Mr. Stephenson's strong powers of observation, to- 

 gether with his native humour and shrewdness, imparted 

 to his conversation at all times much vigour and origi- 

 nality, and made him, to young and old, a delightful 

 companion. Though mainly an engineer, he was also a 

 profound thinker on many scientific questions : and there 

 was scarcely a subject of speculation, or a department 

 of recondite science, on which he had not employed his 

 faculties in such a way as to have formed large -and 

 original views. At Dray ton, the conversation usually 

 turned upon such topics, and Mr. Stephenson freely 

 joined in it. On one occasion, an animated discussion 

 took place between himself and Dr. Buckland on one of 

 his favourite theories as to the formation of coal. But 

 the result was, that Dr. Buckland, a much greater master 

 of tongue-fence than Mr. Stephenson, completely silenced 

 him. Next morning, before breakfast, when he was 

 walking in the grounds, deeply pondering, Sir William 

 Follett came up and asked what he was thinking about ? 

 " Why, Sir William, I am thinking over that argument 

 I had with Buckland last night ; I know I am right, 

 and that if I had only the command of words which he 

 has, I'd have beaten him." " Let me know all about 

 it," said Sir William, "and I'll see what I can do for 

 you." The two sat down in an arbour, and the astute 

 lawyer made himself thoroughly acquainted with the 

 points of the case ; entering into it with all the zeal of 

 an advocate about to plead the dearest interests of his 

 client. After he had mastered the subject, Sir William 

 rose up, rubbing his hands with glee, and said, " Now I 

 am ready for him." Sir Robert Peel was made ac- 

 quainted with the plot, and adroitly introduced the 

 subject of the controversy after dinner. The result 

 was, that in the argument which followed, the man of 

 science w^as overcome by the man of law ; and Sir 

 William Follett had at all points the mastery over 

 Dr. Buckland. " What do you say, Mr. Stephenson ? " 



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