Letter from Robert Stephenson to Samuel Smiles
- Made:
- 1856-02-24
- part of archive:
- Correspondence from Robert Stephenson to Samuel Smiles
- maker:
- Stephenson, Robert
This image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Licence
License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Licence
License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
License
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Letter dated at 34 Gloucester Sq 24 Feb [18]56 and beginning with 'My dear Sir, In rummaging [?] papers I found the enclosed which may be of some service to you.' Includes mentions of an acquintance of Robert's father 'Mr Ayle [?], a sanguine, clever man, but not a real mechanic' and 'those who were led astray by the complete delusion that the Steam Engine was applicable to common roads.' Includes an address to reverse: S. Smiles Esq, Eastern Ralway Office, London Bridge and a wax seal. Stamped 'FE 26 56'.
Details
- Extent:
- 1 document
- Identifier:
- STESI/1/5
- Transcription:
-
Show
34 Gloucester Sq
24 Feb 56
My dear Sir,
In rummaging amongst papers I found the enclosed which may be of some service to you _
I really do not remember whether or not I replied to the Kind epistle for it is very probable that I was absent from England at the time it was written _ I feel assured that if I had received it in course I should have replied to it, for it is from a very early acquaintance of my fathers _ You may possibly
[page 2]
remember Ogle & Summers' Steam Carriage for common Roads _ This letter is from the same Mr Ogle, a sanguine clever man, but not a real mechanic and was amongst those who were led astray by the complete delusion that the Steam Engine was applicable to common roads _ Never was there a delusion so complete, as my father demonstated in the earliest days of his career _ In this you will recollect I allude in the few notes I made on the first steps my father made with the Locomotive Engine at Killingworth Colliery _ I know nothing of the circumstances to which Mr Ogle alludes in his note, but I have no doubt from the references he gives you will be able to find them out, if not let me Know and I will try my hand for I feel that they are worth a little search _
Yours faithfully,
Robt Stephenson
S. Smiles Esq