470 DEPORTMENT TO HIS WORKMEN. CHAP. XXI. 



ingenuity of his artisans. He took up a rivet, and 

 expatiated on the skill with which it had been fashioned 

 by the workman's hand its perfectness and truth. He 

 was always proud of his workmen and his pupils ; and, 

 while indifferent and careless as to what might be said 

 of himself, he fired up in a moment if disparagement 

 were thrown upon any one whom he had taught or 

 trained." 



In manner, George Stephenson was simple, modest, 

 and unassuming, but always manly. He was frank and 

 social in spirit. When a humble workman, he had 

 carefully preserved his sense of self-respect. His com- 

 panions looked up to him, and his example was worth 

 even more to many of them than books or schools. His 

 devoted love of knowledge made his poverty respectable, 

 and adorned his humble calling. When he rose to a 

 more elevated station, and associated with men of the 

 highest position and influence in Britain, he took his 

 place amongst them with perfect self-possession. They 

 wondered at the quiet ease and simple dignity of his 

 deportment ; and men in the best ranks of life have said 

 of him that " He was one of Nature's gentlemen." 



Probably no military chiefs were ever more beloved 

 by their soldiers than were both father and son by the 

 army of men who, under their guidance, worked at 

 labours of profit, made labours of love by their earnest 

 will and purpose. True leaders of men and lords of 

 industry, they were always ready to recognise and 

 encourage talent in those who worked for and with 

 them. Thus it was pleasant, at the openings of the 

 Stephenson lines, to hear the chief engineers attributing 

 the successful completion of the works to their able 

 assistants ; whilst the assistants, on the other hand, 

 ascribed the entire glory to their chiefs. 



A fine trait in George Stephenson' s character was his 

 generosity, which would not permit an attack to be 

 made upon the absent or the weak. He would never 



