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

266 LIFE OF GEORGE STEPHENSON. [chap, xxiii.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE COMPETITION OF LOCOMOTIVES AT EAINHILL.
The time, so much longed for by George Stephenson, had now
arrived, when the merits of the passenger locomotive were
about to be put to the test. He had fought the battle for it until
now almost single-handed. Engrossed by his daily labours and
anxieties, and harassed by difficulties and discouragements which
would have crushed the spirit of a less resolute man, he had
held firmly to his purpose through good and through evil report.
The hostility which he experienced from some of the directors
opposed to the adoption of the locomotive, was the circumstance
that caused |him the greatest grief of all ; for where he had
looked for encouragement, he found only carping and opposition.
But his pluck never failed him ; and now the " Rocket " was
upon the ground,—to prove, to use his own words, " whether he
was a man of his word or not."
Great interest was felt at Liverpool, as well as throughout the
country, in the approaching competition. Engineers, scientific
men, and mechanics, arrived from all quarters to witness the
novel display of mechanical ingenuity on which such great
results depended. The public generally were no idle spectators
either. The populations of Liverpool, Manchester, and the
adjacent towns felt that the successful issue of the experiment
would confer upon them individual benefits and local advantages
almost incalculable, whilst populations at a distance waited for
the result with almost equal interest.
On the day appointed for the great competition of locomotives
at Rainhill, the following engines were entered for the prize :
1. Messrs. Braithwaite and Ericsson's " Novelty."
2. Mr. Timothy Hackworth's " Sans-pareil."
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