Chapter 18

GEORGE STEPHENSON'S CLOSING YEARS--ILLNESS AND DEATH.

George Stephenson's Life at Tapton--Experiments in 341-356 Horticulture, Gardening, and Farming--Affection for animals--Bird-hatching and bee-keeping--Reading and conversation--Rencontre with Lord Denman--Hospitality at Tapton--Experiments with the microscope--Frolics--"A crowdie night"--Visits to London--Visit to Sir Robert Peel at Drayton Manor--Encounter with Dr. Buckland--Coal formed by the sun's light--Opening of the Trent Valley Railway--Meeting with Emerson--Illness, death, and funeral--Memorial Statues