The life of George Stephenson, railway engineer - Lighthouse ...

CHAP. XI.] MR. STEPHENSON'S TESTIMONIAL. 127
said any thing more than every liberal
most readily admit."
and feeling mind would
The Stephenson subscription, when collected, amounted to
about lOOOZ., which was presented to him, together with a silver
tankard, at a public dinner given m the Assembly Rooms at
Newcastle, in the month of January (1818) following. Mr.
Brandling, on presenting the testimonial, observed, "A great
deal of controversy, and, he was sorry to say, of anirtjosity, had
prevailed upon the subject of the ' safety lamp ;
' but this, he
trusted, after the example of moderation that had been set by
Mr. Stephenson's friends, would subside, and all personalities
would cease to be remembered. As to the claim of that individual,
to testify their gratitude to whom they were that day assembled,
he thought every doubt must have been removed from the minds
of unprejudiced persons by a perusal of the evidence recently laid
before the public. He begged Mr. Stephenson's acceptance of
this token of their esteem, wishing him health long to enjoy it,
and to enable him to employ those talents with which Providence
had blessed him, for the benefit of his fellow-creatures."
On returning thanks for the honour done him, Mr. Stephenson
said, "I shall ever reflect with pride and gratitude that my
labours have been honoured with the approbation of such a
distinguished meeting ; and you may rest assured that my time,
and any talent I may possess, shall hereafter be employed in such
a manner as not to give you, gentlemen, any cause to regret the
countenance and support which you have so generously afforded
me." That Stephenson amply fulfilled his promise and pledge
to his friends, his future career abundantly proved.
But what said Sir Humphry Davy as to this testimonial pre-
sented to Stephenson for having invented the safety lamp ? In
a private letter,* written at the time, he characterized as "in-
famous " the resolutions adopted by Mr. Stephenson's supporters,
alleging that he had only " pirated " his invention. " It will turn
out," said he, alluding to the Stephenson testimonial, " a very dis-
graceful business for the persons who have agitated it ;
" and in
another letter he said, " there never was a more gross imposture
than that of Stephenson."
* Since published in the Mechanics' Magazine, vol. liv. p. 423.