There may have been some moral twist in the engineer's character, into which we do not seek to pry; but it seems clear that he was wanting in that resolute perseverance, that power of fighting an up-hill battle, without which no great enterprise can be conducted to a successful issue. In this respect the character of Richard Trevithick presents a remarkable contrast to that of George Stephenson, who took up only one of the many projects which the other had cast aside, and by dint of application, industry, and perseverance, carried into effect one of the most remarkable but peaceful revolutions which has ever been accomplished in any age or country. We now proceed to describe the history of this revolution in connection with the Life of George Stephenson, and to trace the locomotive through its several stages of development until we find it recognized as one of the most vigorous and untiring workers in the entire world of industry. FOOTNOTES: [16] Weale's "Papers on Engineering," vol. i., "On the Dredging Machine," p. 7. [17] Paper read by Henry Boaze, Esq., "On Captain Trevithick's Adventures," at the Anniversary Meeting of September, 1817.--"Transactions of Royal Geological Society of Cornwall," vol. i., p. 212. [18] On the 12th of August, 1831, by which time the Liverpool and Manchester line was in full work, Trevithick appeared as a witness before the select committee of the House of Commons on the employment of steam-carriages on common roads. He said "he had been abroad a good many years, and had had nothing to do with steam-carriages until very lately. He had it now, however, in contemplation to do a great deal on common roads, and, with that view, had taken out a patent for an entirely new engine, the arrangements in which were calculated to obviate all the difficulties which had hitherto stood in the way of traveling on common roads." LIVES OF GEORGE AND ROBERT STEPHENSON. [Illustration: NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE AND THE HIGH-LEVEL BRIDGE. [By R. P. Leitch, after his Original Drawing.]] LIFE OF GEORGE STEPHENSON, ETC. CHAPTER I. THE NEWCASTLE COAL-FIELD--GEORGE STEPHENSON'S EARLY YEARS. In no quarter of England have greater changes been wrought by the successive advances made in the practical science of engineering than in the extensive colliery districts of the North, of which Newcastle-upon-Tyne is the centre and the capital.