ic
testimonial of L1000; while at Killingworth turned his attention to the
application of steam to machinery, and thus constructed his first
locomotive in 1814 for the colliery tram-road; railway and locomotive
construction now became the business of his life; superintended the
construction of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (1821-25), the
Liverpool and Manchester Railway (1826-29), over which he ran his
locomotive the "Rocket" at a maximum rate of 35 m. an hour; in the
outburst of railway enterprise which now ensued Stephenson's services
were in requisition all over the country; became principal engineer on
many of the new railways; bought the country-seat of Tapton, near
Chesterfield, to which he retired for much-needed rest; a man of
character, gentle and simple in his affections, strong and purposeful in
his labours, who, as he himself says, "fought for the locomotive
single-handed for nearly 20 years," and "put up with every rebuff,
determined not to be put down" (1781-1848).

STEPHENSON, ROBERT, son of preceding, born at Willington Quay, was
well educated at Newcastle, and for a session at Edinburgh University;
began in 1823 to assist his father, and from 1824 to 1827 fulfilled an
engineering engagement in Colombia, South America; rendered valuable
service in the construction of the "Rocket," and as joint-engineer with
his father of the London and Birmingham line, was mainly responsible for
its construction; turning his attention specially to bridge-building he
constructed the Britannia and Conway Tubular bridges, besides many
others, including those over the Nile, St. Lawrence, &c.; was returned to
the House of Commons in 1847; received the Grand Cross of the Legion of
Honour from the French emperor, and many other distinctions at home and
abroad; was buried in Westminster Abbey (1803-1859).

STEPNIAK, Russian Nihilist and apostle of freedom; exiled himself to
England; author of "Underground Russia" (1852-1895).

STEPPES, the name given to wide, treeless plains, barren except in
spring, of the SE. of Russia and SW. of Siberia.

STEREOSCOPE, a simple optical apparatus which, when two photographs
of an object taken from slightly different standpoints (so as to secure
the appearance it presents to either eye singly) are placed under its
twin magnifying lenses, presents to the eyes of the looker a single
picture of the object standing out in natural relief.

STERLING, JOHN, a friend of Carlyle's, b