Robert Stephenson's gradual Retirement from the profession of Engineer.--His Tubular Bridge over the Nile.--Railways in Canada.--Proposed Bridge at Montreal.--A Tubular Bridge proposed.--Robert Stephenson appointed Engineer.--Design of the Victoria Bridge.--The Piers.--Getting in of the Foundations.--Progress of the Works.--Erection of the Tubes.--Scene at the breaking-up of the Ice in 1858.--The Night-work.--Erection of main central Tube.--Completion of the Works.--Robert Stephenson in Parliament.--His Opinion of the Suez Canal.--His Honors.--Launch of the Great Eastern.--Last Illness and Death.--The Stephenson Characteristics.--Conclusion. 474 INDEX 497 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE Portrait of George Stephenson _to face Title Page._ Portrait of Trevithick 46 Tyne Coal-staith 49 Flange-rail 50 Cugnot's Steam-carriage 62 Murdock's Model Locomotive 66 Symington's Model Steam-carriage 69 Oliver Evans's Model Locomotive 71 Trevithick's Tram-engine 81 High-Level Bridge, Newcastle 96 Map of Newcastle District 98 Wylam 103 High-Street House, Wylam 104 Colliery Wagons 110 Newburn 111 Colliery Gin 120 Stephenson's Cottage at Willington Quay 121 Stephenson's Signature 123 West Moor Colliery 127 Killingworth High Pit 136 Glebe Farm-house, Benton 137 Rutter's School-house at Long Benton 140 Bruce's School, Newcastle 142 Stephenson's Cottage, West Moor 146 Sun-dial, Killingworth 149 Colliers' Cottages, Long Benton 151 Blenkinsop's Leeds Engine 155 The Wylam Engine 160 Spur-gear 164 Killingworth Locomotive (Section) 168 Colliery Whimsey 174 Pit-head, West Moor 177 Davy's and Stephenson's Safety-lamps 187 Literary and Philosophical Institute, Newcastle 189 The Stephenson Tankard 197 Half-lap Joint 200 Old Killingworth Locomotive 201 West Moor Pit, Killingworth 214 Portrait of Edward Pease 223 Map of Stockton and Darlington Railway 224