dge, Berwick--Progress of
iron-bridge building--Robert Stephenson constructs
the High Level Bridge, Newcastle--Pile-driving by
steam--Characteristics of the structure--Through
railway to Scotland completed

CHAPTER XVII.

ROBERT STEPHENSON'S TUBULAR BRIDGES AT MENAI AND CONWAY.

George Stephenson surveys a line from Chester to 320-340
Holyhead--Robert Stephenson's construction of the
works at Penmaen Mawr--Crossing of the Menai
Strait--Various plans proposed--A tubular beam
determined on--Strength of wrought-iron tubes--Mr.
William Fairbairn consulted--His experiments--The
design settled--The Britannia Bridge described--The
Conway Bridge--Floating of the tubes--Lifting of the
tubes--Robert Stephenson's anxieties--Bursting of
the Hydraulic Press--The works completed--Merits of
the Britannia and Conway Bridges

CHAPTER XVIII.

GEORGE STEPHENSON'S CLOSING YEARS--ILLNESS AND DEATH.

George Stephenson's Life at Tapton--Experiments in 341-356
Horticulture, Gardening, and Farming--Affection for
animals--Bird-hatching and bee-keeping--Reading and
conversation--Rencontre with Lord
Denman--Hospitality at Tapton--Experiments with the
microscope--Frolics--"A crowdie night"--Visits to
London--Visit to Sir Robert Peel at Drayton
Manor--Encounter with Dr. Buckland--Coal formed by
the sun's light--Opening of the Trent Valley
Railway--Meeting with Emerson--Illness, death, and
funeral--Memorial Statues

CHAPTER XIX.

ROBERT STEPHENSON'S VICTORIA BRIDGE, LOWER CANADA--ILLNESS AND
DEATH--STEPHENSON CHARACTERISTICS.

Robert Stephenson's inheritances--Gradual retirement 357-380
from the profession of engineer--His last great
works--Tubular Bridges over the St. Lawrence and the
Nile--The Grand Trunk Railway, Canada--Necessity for
a great railway bridge near Montreal--Discussion as
to the plan--Robert Stephenson's report--A tubular
bridge determined on--Massiveness of the
piers--Ice-floods in the St. Lawrence--Victoria
Bridge constructed and completed--Tubular bridges in
Egypt--The Suez Canal--Robert Stephenson's
employment as arbitrator--Assists Brunel at
launching of the "Great Eastern"--Regardlessness of
health--Death and Funeral--Characteristics of the
Stephensons and resume of their history--Politics of
father and son--Services rendered to civilization by
the Stephensons

INDEX