career of a man who began life as a herd boy, and who up
to eighteen did not know how to read or write, and yet was able to confer
such vast benefits upon his country and mankind for all time, is worthy
of a national and noble memorial."

THE STEPHENSON CENTENARY.

Of all celebrations in the North of England there was never the like of
the centenary of the birth-day of George Stephenson, June 9th, 1881. The
enthusiastic crowds of people assembled to honour the occasion were never
before so numerous on any public holiday. Sir William Armstrong, C.B.,
in his speech at the great banquet remarked:--"The memory of a great man
now dead is a solemn subject for a toast, and I approach the task of
proposing it with a full sense of its gravity. We are met to celebrate
the birth of George Stephenson, which took place just 100 years ago--a
date which nearly coincides with that at which the genius of Watt first
gave practical importance to the steam-engine. Up to that time the
inventive faculties of man had lain almost dormant, but with the advent
of the steam-engine there commenced that splendid series of discoveries
and inventions which have since, to use the words of Dr. Bruce,
revolutionised the state of the world. Amongst these the most momentous
in its consequences to the human race is the railway
system--(cheers)--and with that system including the locomotive engine as
its essential element, the name of George Stephenson will ever be
pre-eminently associated. In saying this, I do not mean to ignore the
important parts played by others in the development of the railway
system; but it is not my duty on this occasion to review the history of
that system and to assign to each person concerned his proper share of
the general credit. To do this would be an invidious task, and out of
place at a festival held in honour of George Stephenson only. I shall,
therefore, pass over all names but his, not even making an exception in
favour of his distinguished son. (Cheers.) It seldom or never happens
that any great invention can be exclusively attributed to any one man;
but it is generally the case that amongst those who contribute to the
ultimate success there is one conspicuous figure that towers above all
the rest, and such is the figure which George Stephenson presents in
relation to the railway system. (Cheers.) To be sensible of the
benefits we have derived from railways and locomotives let us consider
for a mome