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

CHAP, xxxiii.] JOUENEY TO SPAIN. 4H
Mr. Stephenson had scarcely returned from this second visit
to Belgium, before he was requested to proceed to Spain, for
the purpose of examining and reporting upon a scheme then on
foot for constructing "the Royal North of Spain Eailway."
He set out from London in the middle of September, accom-
panied by Sir Joshua Walmsley and several other gentlemen
irtterested in the project. A concession had been made by the
Spanish government of a line of railway from Madrid to the
Bay of Biscay, and a numerous staff of engineers was engaged
in surveying the proposed line. The directors of the Company
had declined making the necessary deposits until more favour-
able terms had been secured, and the object of Sir Joshua
Walmsley's journey was to press the Spanish government on
the subject. Mr. Stephenson, whom he consulted, was alive to
the difficulties of the office which Sir Joshua was requested to
undertake, and offered to be his companion and adviser on the
occasion,—declining to receive any recompense beyond the
simple expenses of the journey. The railway mania was then
at its height ; and though Mr. Stephenson was not concerned in
the multitude of new schemes which were daily coming out, he
was engaged on some important measures, and, besides, had his
own extensive collieries at Clay Cross to look after. He could
therefore only arrange to be absent for six weeks, and he set out
from England about the middle of September, 1845.
The party was joined at Paris by Mr. Mackenzie, the con-
tractor for the Orleans and Tours Railway, then in course of
construction, who took them over the works, and accompanied
them as far as Tours. Sir Joshua Walmsley was struck during
the journey by Mr. Stephenson's close and accurate observation.
Nothing escaped his keen eye. The external features of the
district passed through, every fissure or disruption in the mountain
ridges, the direction of the rivers, the stratification and geological
formation of the country, were carefully, though rapidly noted.
The modes of farming were also observed; and he compared
the herds of cattle, the horses and mules, with those which he
had observed in his own and other countries. Nor did he fail
to observe closely the agricultural products, and the fruits and
flowers grown in the gardens of the villages through which they