ights through the spirit level with his own hands
and eyes as he did on this railway. He started very early--dressed in a
blue tailed coat, breeches, and top-boots--and surveyed until dusk. He
was not at any time particular as to his living; and during the survey,
he took his chance of getting a little milk and bread at some cottager's
house along the line, or occasionally joined in a homely dinner at some
neighbouring farmhouse. The country people were accustomed to give him a
hearty welcome when he appeared at their door; for he was always full of
cheery and homely talk, and, when there were children about the house, he
had plenty of humorous chat for them as well as for their seniors.

After the day's work was over, George would drop in at Mr. Pease's, to
talk over the progress of the survey, and discuss various matters
connected with the railway. Mr. Pease's daughters were usually present;
and on one occasion, finding the young ladies learning the art of
embroidery, he volunteered to instruct them. {131} "I know all about
it," said he; "and you will wonder how I learnt it. I will tell you.
When I was a brakesman at Killingworth, I learnt the art of embroidery
while working the pitmen's buttonholes by the engine fire at nights." He
was never ashamed, but on the contrary rather proud, of reminding his
friends of these humble pursuits of his early life. Mr. Pease's family
were greatly pleased with his conversation, which was always amusing and
instructive; full of all sorts of experience, gathered in the oddest and
most out-of-the-way places. Even at that early period, before he mixed
in the society of educated persons, there was a dash of speculativeness
in his remarks, which gave a high degree of originality to his
conversation; and he would sometimes, in a casual remark, throw a flash
of light upon a subject, which called up a train of pregnant suggestions.

One of the most important subjects of discussion at these meetings with
Mr. Pease, was the establishment of a manufactory at Newcastle for the
building of locomotive engines. Up to this time all the locomotives
constructed after Stephenson's designs, had been made by ordinary
mechanics working among the collieries in the North of England. But he
had long felt that the accuracy and style of their workmanship admitted
of great improvement, and that upon this the more perfect action of the
locomotive engine, and its general adoption, in a great measure de