New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-05-21
NewUork daily Gribnne.
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

The personal career Of George Stephenson 10 no
less remarkable than the influence Of bis inventions
on the industry of the world. His case would seem
10 present striking confirmation of the belief that
certain men are destined to the accomplishment of
apecifc objects for which the events of their exer
nal hfe, as well as their individual eDdowments, are
both an impulse and preparation. The whole sys
TEN Of railroad transportation which forms such
M essential element in modern civilization, is traced
bach to the improvements in the locomotive ef-
fected by Stephenson.
He was a native of the Newcastle mining district,
where he was born in q laborers cottage Of the
humbest description, June g. 1871. His father
was fireman of Il pumping engine at a colliery,
gaining a scanty subsistence by constant toll AS
soon as employment could be found for the poor
mans son. he was set to tending cows in tbs neigh
bOrboOd at the wages of twOpence day. One Of
his earliest aDusements in the leisure hours which
we're thus thrown on his hands, was to erect min
iature mills in the little streanlets aud to construct
clay engines with favorite companion. AS he
grew older and more able to work, he was promoted
to the task of leading the horses at pow, boeing
tarnpr, and other odd jobs about the farm But
he could net rect tiH he obtained berth at the
colliery where his father worked. aud where he
~ss employed in clearing the coal Of rubbish, and
Afterward in driving the gn.hOrse. At length, he
was en- as an assistant to his father in firing the
engine, which POSTPAID for some time been sn OBJ
iect of bis ardent ambition.
Removing from one colliery to another, as pit az
Der pit was worked out, the stratened family had
no small difficulty in procuring even meaSer
livelihood. They lived in a cottage with. only one
room, which the father, mother, four soma, and
bwo daughters occupied together. 1t was crowded
with three low bedsteads. This one apartment did
dssy as parlor, kitchen, sleeping room, and what
act. BY the time that George had reached the age
Of fifteen he thought only Of attaining the position Of
Q full worb man, with mans wages, and was es-
teemed by his comrades as nothing more than So
Der, steady, industrious lad. In the course OF
year or two, he was appointed plugman or engine
man on pumping. engine of which his father was
fireman, and at once thought himself made for this
world. He now began TO make more thorough
study of the engine which had long been the OBJ
Isct Of bis boyish curiosity. He soon acquired
thorough knowledge of its construction and mode
Of working; it became his fayorite pet; and he was
never weary of watching it with devoted admira-
ton.
At the age of eighteel he had not yet learned to
read. He loved to employ his spare time, how
ever, in listening by the engine fire to one OF his
fellow-workmen, whe would read to his compan-
ions from any book or stray newspaper which had
found its way TO tbeir aurky village. He still con-
tnued his amusement Of modelling clay engines.
He not only tried to model those which he hal
seen, but those which he had heard described. He
was told, however, that he could obtain iniorma-
ton about the wonderful engines of Watt and Boul-
ton only by consulting the publications OF the day.
But he did not even know bis letters. lie thus
found that he could make progress in his darling
pursuit, without learning To read He was not
Ashamed 10 confess his ignorance, and though well
nigh man grown, to 20 to school aud learn the
etobabet. Tie commenced with taking lessons three
niahts in the week, of poor drudge OF peda-
sseue who kept evening school Tor the COLLECTS
psd labOrers' rods IN the neighborhood. lie soon
made such proficiency that he VIA ready Tor another
teacher and under an old Scotch dominic, he added
the my 81. RES of arithmetic 10 bis new accomplish
mepts.
On arriving At the age of twenty, young Stephen
son had become promoted to the post OF brakes
man. His duty consisted chiefly in letting men anu
materials up and down the mine. This LETT q gooa
deal Of spare time on his hsnds, part OF which be
devoted to meDdng the shoes of his fellow-"0rh-
men. while he employed many vacant hours IN
workioe out sums on his slate, and practicing
writing 10 bis copy-book About this time he
formed an attachment ~ young woman OF the
VILLAGE. who was servant IN neghborng farnl-
Louse with a1excelent character and principles, ana
M inoonsidersbe personal ATTRACTIONS. The court
sh;n WAS not without touch of romance. Among
his various meDdings of old shoes at Csuerton,
George Stephenson was on one occasion favored
with the shoes Of his sweetheart, Fanny iiender'
son I, sole. Ope can imagine the pleasure Win
which he would liDger over such Pece OF
worn. and the pride with which he would execute
il. friend of bis stll living, relates that, alter
he had fnished the shoes, he carried them about
with him in his pocket on the Sunday afternoon
and thai from time 10 time he would whip them Out
and boo them up to sight-the tiny LITTLE shoes .hat
taey were-exbibiting them with exultation to his
sr;,pd and exelalmiDg, What c,pita' no he al
,us5e of them Other lovers have CARED about
with th.u Ioek of the fair ones hair glove, &c
.bsrak.,ch Of; but none could have been ptoujer
,tbe,r en-. risbed love token ihao was George a.
,r,snson of his FanDys shoes which he lad just
.,,.6. a,d Of witch be had made su 50 'c,iasil
,,h >" The following year be was m1fned I" The
a,..Ht tn Az as