Indeed, unless a young fellow takes a real interest in his work, and has a genuine love for it, the greatest advantages will prove of no avail whatever.
It was a good plan adopted at the works, to require the pupils to keep the same hours as the rest of the men, and, though they paid a premium on entering, to give them the same rate of wages as the rest of the lads.

Mr.William Hutchinson, a contemporary of George Stephenson, was the managing partner.

He was a person of great experience, and had the most thorough knowledge of men and materials, knowing well how to handle both to the best advantage.
His son-in-law, Mr.William Weallans, was the head draughtsman, and very proficient, not only in quickness but in accuracy and finish.

I found it of great advantage to have the benefit of the example and the training of these very clever men.
My five years apprenticeship was completed in May 1851, on my twentieth birthday.

Having had but very little "black time," as it was called, beyond the half-yearly holiday for visiting my friends, and having only "slept in" twice during the five years, I was at once entered on the books as a journeyman, on the "big" wage of twenty shillings a week.
Orders were, however, at that time very difficult to be had.
Railway trucks, and even navvies' barrows, were contracted for in order to keep the men employed.