When passing through Newcastle, while still a young man, on one
of his journeys to the University at Edinburgh, and being
desirous of witnessing the operations in a coal-mine, a friend
recommended him to visit Killingworth pit, where he would find
one George Stephenson, a most intelligent workman, in charge. My
father was introduced to Mr. Stephenson accordingly; and after
rambling over the underground workings, and observing the pumping
and winding engines in full operation, a friendship was made,
which afterwards proved of the greatest service to myself, by
facilitating my being placed as a pupil at the great engineering
works of Messrs. Robert Stephenson and Co., at Newcastle.
My mother was the daughter of Gawan Pierson, a landed proprietor
of Goathland, near Rosedale. She, too, was surprisingly
mechanical in her tastes; and assisted my father in preparing
many of his plans, besides attaining considerable proficiency in
drawing, painting, and modelling in wax. Toys in those days were
poor, as well as very expensive to purchase. But the nursery
soon became a little workshop under her directions; and the boys
were usually engaged, one in making a cart, another in carving
out a horse, and a third in cutting out a boat; while the girls
were making harness, or sewing sails, or cutting out and making
perfect dresses for their dolls--whose houses were completely
furnished with everything, from the kitchen to the attic, all
made at home.
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