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

CHAP. XXX.] PARTIAL RETIREMENT. 867
CHAPTER XXX.
ME. Stephenson's partial betieement feom the peo-
PESSION ^PUBLIC KECOGNITION OF HIS SERVICES ATJTO-
BIOGEAPHIC SKETCHES.
The more, laborious part of Mr. Stephenson's career in con-
nection with railways was now over ; and he frequently expressed
a desire to retire from its troubles and anxieties into private life.
At Blackburn, in 1840, he publicly intimated his intention of
retiring from the more active pursuit of his profession ; and,
shortly after, he proceeded to resign the charge of several of the
railways of which he was the chief engineer. He was succeeded,
on the Midland and York systems, by his son Robert ; on the
Chester lines, by Mr. John Dixon ; on the Manchester and
Leeds lines, by Mr. Hawkshaw; and on the other railways,
chiefly by his own pupils—all of whom, from his son downwards,
did him honour.
He had removed his home from Alton Grange to Tapton
House, in August, 1838; but the extent of his railway engage-
ments had, up to this time, prevented his enjoyment of its com-
forts and retirement. Tapton House is a large, roomy brick
mansion, beautifully situated amidst woods, upon a commanding
eminence, about a mile to the northeast of the town of Chester-
field. Green fields dotted with fine trees slope away from the
house in all directions. The surrounding country is exceedingly
varied and undulating. North and south the eye ranges over a
vast extent of lovely scenery ; and on the west, looking over the
town of Chesterfield, with its fine church and crooked spire, the
extensive range of the Derbyshire hills bounds the distance.
The Midland Railway skirts the western edge of the park in a
deep rock cutting, and the shrill whistle of the locomotive sounds