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

CHAP. XXX.] RECOGNITION OF HIS SERVICES. 371
Mr. Stephenson, though he had solved the great social problem
of rapid and easy transit from place to place—the subject of ph
much parliamentary inquiry— ^not only remained without any
parliamentary recognition of his distinguished public services,
but almost the whole of his professional career was a prolonged
struggle against the obstructiveness of the legislature. Certain
it is, that he never contemplated receiving any reward or recog-
nition from that quarter. Amidst aU his labours, it was the last
thing that would have crossed his mind ; and it is well that our
greatest men in England can undertake questions of public
utility, and carry them to a successful issue in the face of stu-
pendous difficulties, without the stimulus of an expected medal
or riband, or any Government reward or recognition whatsoever.
Mr. Stephenson was, however, on one occasion, offered a piece
of Government patronage, thus recorded by his son :— " I remember
my father once refusing to accept from the Government
what they thought a piece of valuable patronage ; and it was
almost, if not absolutely, the only piece of patronage they ever
offered him. It was the appointment of a walking postman be-
tween Chesterfield and Chatsworth, who was to walk eight miles
there and eight miles back every day with the letter bags, and
who was to receive the immense stipend of twelve shillings a
week !
" *
A movement was made by some leading railway men, in
February, 1839, under the presidency of Alderman Thomp-
son, M. P., to offer to Mr. Stephenson some public testimonial
in recognition of his distinguished services. A committee was
formed, and an appeal was made to the public for subscrip-
tions.
A list was opened, but filled slowly. Many other engineers?,
who had been his pupils, and numerous resident engineers, who
had superintended the execution of the works planned by him,
had received public recognition of their services in many forms.
But it was, perhaps, felt, that while these were generally of a
local character, it was fitting that the testimonial to Mr. Stephen-
* Eeply of Robert Stephenson, Esq., M. P., President of the Institution of
CiTil Engineers, to Obsei-vations in the Second Report of the Postmaster-
General, May 20th, 1856.