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

CHAP. XX.] HAED WORK AND FEUGAL FAEE. 241
He had no staff of experienced assistants,—not even a staff of
draughtsmen in his office,—but only a few young pupils learning
their business ; and frequently he was without even their help.
The time of his engineering inspectors was fully occupied in the
actual superintendence of the works at different parts of the line
and he directed all their more important operations in person.
Mr. Locke, formerly in his employment as a clerk at Newcastle,
had charge of the important works between Liverpool and Bainhill
; Mr. John Dixon superintended the formation of the road
over Chat Moss ; and Mr. T. L. Gooch and Mr. AUcard were
stationed at other points. It was in the midst of this vast accu-
mulation of work and responsibility that the battle of the loco-
motive engine had to be fought,—a battle, not merely against
material difficulties, but against the still more trying obstructions
of deeply-rooted mistrust and prejudice on the part of a consid-
erable minority of the directors.
The usual routine of his life at this time—if routine it might
be called—was, to rise early, by sunrise in summer and before it
in winter, and thus " break the back of the day's work " by mid-
day. Before breakfast he would visit the extensive workshops
at EdgehiU, where most of the " plant " for the line was manu-
factured. Then, returning home, after a hurried breakfast, he
would ride along the works to inspect their progress, and push
them on with greater energy where needful. On other days he
would prepare for the much less congenial engagement of meet-
ing the board, which was often a cause of great anxiety and pain
to him ; for it was difficult to satisfy men of all tempers, and
some of these not of the most generous sort. On such occasions
he might be seen with his right-hand thumb thrust through the
topmost button-hole of his coat breast, vehemently hitching his
right shoulder, as was his habit when labouring under any con-
siderable excitement. On other days he would take an early
ride before breakfast, to inspect the progress of the Sankey viaduct.
He had a favourite horse, brought by him from New
castle, called " Bobby,"—so tractable that, with his rider on his
back, he would walk up to a locomotive with the steam blowing
off, and put his nose against it without shying. " Bobby," sad-
dled and bridled, was brought to Mr. Stephenson's door betimes
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