the demands upon his professional skill were
so great that he was prevented going further than constructing the pair
of engines, the wheels, and a part of the boiler,--all of which
remnants I still preserve, as valuable links in the progress of steam
locomotion.

Other branches of practical science--such as electricity, magnetism,
and chemical cultivation of the soil--received a share of his
attention. He predicted that three or four powerful electric lamps
would yet light a whole city. He was also convinced of the feasibility
of an electric cable to New York, and calculated the probable cost. As
an example to the neighbourhood, he successfully cultivated a tract of
moorland, and overcame difficulties which before then were thought
insurmountable.

When passing through Newcastle, while still a young man, on one of his
journeys to the University at Edinburgh, and being desirous of
witnessing the operations in a coal-mine, a friend recommended him to
visit Killingworth pit, where he would find one George Stephenson, a
most intelligent workman, in charge. My father was introduced to Mr.
Stephenson accordingly; and after rambling over the underground
workings, and observing the pumping and winding engines in full
operation, a friendship was made, which afterwards proved of the
greatest service to myself, by facilitating my being placed as a pupil
at the great engineering works of Messrs. Robert Stephenson and Co., at
Newcastle.

My mother was the daughter of Gawan Pierson, a landed proprietor of
Goathland, near Rosedale. She, too, was surprisingly mechanical in her
tastes; and assisted my father in preparing many of his plans, besides
attaining considerable proficiency in drawing, painting, and modelling
in wax. Toys in those days were poor, as well as very expensive to
purchase. But the nursery soon became a little workshop under her
directions; and the boys were usually engaged, one in making a cart,
another in carving out a horse, and a third in cutting out a boat;
while the girls were making harness, or sewing sails, or cutting out
and making perfect dresses for their dolls--whose houses were
completely furnished with everything, from the kitchen to the attic,
all made at home.

It was in a house of such industry and mechanism that I was brought up.
As a youth, I was slow at my lessons; preferring to watch and assist
workmen when I had an opportunity of doing so, even with the certainty
of having a thrashi