digging for a
foundation he had come to a tree bedded in the earth, fourteen feet below
the surface of the ground; how tides are caused, and how another flood
might be caused; all of which I have remembered and noted down at much
greater length than I can enter upon here. He explained to me the whole
construction of the steam engine, and said he could soon make a famous
engineer of me, which, considering the wonderful things he has achieved,
I dare not say is impossible. His way of explaining himself is peculiar,
but very striking, and I understood, without difficulty, all that he said
to me. We then rejoined the rest of the party, and the engine having
received its supply of water, the carriage was placed behind it, for it
cannot turn, and was set off at its utmost speed, thirty-five miles an
hour, swifter than a bird flies (for they tried the experiment with a
snipe). You cannot conceive what that sensation of cutting the air was;
the motion is as smooth as possible, too. I could either have read or
written; and as it was, I stood up, and with my bonnet off 'drank the air
before me.' The wind, which was strong, or perhaps the force of our own
thrusting against it, absolutely weighed my eyelids down.

"When I closed my eyes this sensation of flying was quite delightful, and
strange beyond description; yet strange as it was, I had a perfect sense
of security, and not the slightest fear. At one time, to exhibit the
power of the engine, having met another steam-carriage which was
unsupplied with water, Mr. Stephenson caused it to be fastened in front
of ours; moreover, a wagon laden with timber was also chained to us, and
thus propelling the idle steam-engine, and dragging the loaded wagon
which was beside it and our own carriage full of people behind, this
brave little she-dragon of ours flew on. Farther on she met three carts,
which, being fastened in front of her, she pushed on before her without
the slightest delay or difficulty; when I add that this pretty little
creature can run with equal facility either backwards or forwards, I
believe I have given you an account of all her capacities. Now for a
word or two about the master of all these marvels, with whom I am most
horribly in love. He is a man from fifty to fifty-five years of age; his
face is fine, though careworn, and bears an expression of deep
thoughtfulness; his mode of explaining his ideas is peculiar and very
original, striking, and forcible; and