Page:The model locomotive engineer, fireman and engine-boy.pdf/24

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THE MODEL

LOCOMOTIVE

ENGINEER,

FIREMAN, AND ENGINE-BOY.

PART I.

THE PIONEER ENGINEERS.

CHAPTER I.

THE LOCOMOTIVE MEN.

"Not

"WHO are the greatest men of the present age?" said John Bright in the House of Commons. your warriors, not your statesmen: they are your engineers. " If we regard the achievements of Smeaton, Rennie, Telford, and Stephenson, "souls that lived alone and dwelt apart," we shall find in the difficulties they had to encounter sufficient to excite our admiration. They fought the battle of life amidst unfavourable condi- tions; their life struggles are full of dramatic interest to all, for the stern realities and uncertainties of life $were present in every phase of their history. B