I may mention further, with relation to him, that after many years of scientific research and professional practice, he died at Hong Kong in 1858, when a public monument was erected to his memory, in what is known as the "Happy Valley." I remained for a short time under the tuition of my old master.

But as the time was rapidly approaching when I too must determine what I was "to be" in life.

I had no hesitation in deciding to be an engineer, though my father wished me to be a barrister.

But I kept constant to my resolution; and eventually he succeeded, through his early acquaintance with George Stephenson, in gaining for me an entrance to the engineering works of Robert Stephenson and Co., at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
I started there as a pupil on my fifteenth birthday, for an apprenticeship of five years.

I was to spend the first four years in the various workshops, and the last year in the drawing-office.
I was now in my element.