t they proposed to give him an interest in
the patent. Accordingly they assigned him one-fourth of any profits
which might be derived from the use of the patent locomotive on any
railways constructed south of a line drawn across England from Liverpool
to Hull. The arrangement, however, led to no beneficial results. Mr.
James endeavoured to introduce the engine on the Moreton-on-Marsh
Railway; but it was opposed by the engineer of the line, and the attempt
failed. He next urged that a locomotive should be sent for trial upon
the Merstham tramroad; but, anxious though Stephenson was respecting its
extended employment, he was too cautious to risk an experiment which
might only bring discredit upon the engine; and the Merstham road being
only laid with cast-iron plates, which would not bear its weight, the
invitation was declined.

It turned out that the first survey of the Liverpool and Manchester line
was very imperfect, and it was determined to have a second and more
complete one made in the following year. Robert Stephenson was sent over
by his father to Liverpool to assist in this survey. He was present with
Mr. James on the occasion on which he tried to lay out the line across
Chat Moss,--a proceeding which was not only difficult but dangerous. The
Moss was very wet at the time, and only its edges could be ventured on.
Mr. James was a heavy, thick-set man; and one day, when endeavouring to
obtain a stand for his theodolite, he felt himself suddenly sinking. He
immediately threw himself down, and rolled over and over until he reached
firm ground again, in a sad mess. Other attempts which he subsequently
made to enter upon the Moss for the same purpose, were abandoned for the
same reason--the want of a solid stand for the theodolite.

On the 4th October, 1822, we find Mr. James writing to Mr. Sandars, "I
came last night to send my aid, Robert Stephenson, to his father, and
to-morrow I shall pay off Evans and Hamilton, two other assistants. I
have now only Messrs. Padley and Clarke to finish the copy of plans for
Parliament, which will be done in about a week or nine days' time." It
would appear however, that, notwithstanding all his exertions, Mr. James
was unable to complete his plans and estimates in time for the ensuing
Session; and another year was thus lost. The Railroad Committee became
impatient at the delay. Mr. James's financial embarrassments reached
their climax; and, what with illness and debt,