In spite of all Stephenson's earnestness and mother wit, however,Parliament refused to pass the bill (in 1825), and for the momentthe engineer's vexation was bitter to behold. He and his friendsplucked up heart, however; they were fighting the winning battleagainst prejudice and obstruction, and they were sure to conquer inthe long run. The line was resurveyed by other engineers; thelands of the hostile owners were avoided; the causes of offencewere dexterously smoothed down; and after another hard fight, in1826, the bill authorizing the construction of the Liverpool andManchester railway was finally passed. The board at once appointedStephenson engineer for constructing the line, at a salary of 1000pounds a week. George might now fairly consider himself entitledto the honours of an Esquire.