4? Origin njthe Sofidy of Civil Etigineers. 



The navy of England fails now uncontrouled in every part of the habitaWe world, and 

 herfliips of war defy the combinetl power of all other maritime nations. 



It was about the fame period that manufa£tures were extended on a new plan, by the 

 cnterprife, the capital, and, above all, by the fcience of men of deep knowledge and perfe- 

 vering induftry engaged in them. 



. It was perceived that it would be better for eftabliiliments to fct down on new fituations, 

 bed fuited for raw materials and the labour of patient and retired induftry, than to be 

 plagued with the miferable little politics of corporate towns, and the wages of their extra- 

 vagant workmen. 



This produced a new demand, not thought of, till then, in this country — internal navi- 

 gation. To make communications from fa£lory to fa£lory, and from warehoufes to har- 

 bours, as well as to carry raw materials to and from fuch eftablifliments, became abfolutely 

 neceflary. Hence arofe thofe wonderful works, not of pompous and ufelefs magnificence, 

 but of real utility, which are at this time carrying on to a degree of extent and magnitude 

 to which as yet there is no appearance of limitation. • 



The ancient harbours of this ifland, it may be faid, have ever been neglefted, confidering 

 the increafe of its naval power, and a foreign commerce of which there has never been an 

 example in the hiftory of mankind. The fea-ports were (I had almoft faid are) fuch as Na- 

 ture formed, and Providence has bellowed upon us; and they were but little better pre- 

 vious to that period, notwithftanding fome jetttes and piers of defence ill-placed had been 

 made and repeatedly altered, without knowledge and judgment, at municipal, not govern- 

 tnerit's expence. 



This general fituation of things gave rife to a new profeffion and order of men, called 

 Civil Engineers. 



In all the polilhed nations of Europe, this was and is a profeffion of itfelf. Academies, 

 -or fome parts of fuch inftitutions, were appropriated to the ftudy of it, and of all the pre- 

 paratory fciences and accomplilhments neceflary to form an able artift, whofe profeffion 

 comprehends the variety of objeds on which he Is employed, and of which the prefent 

 * work is an example, and a proof. 



In this country, however, the formation of fuch artifts has been left to chance ; and 

 perfons leaned towards the public call of employments in this way, as their natural turn 

 of mind took a bias. There were no public eftablifliments, except common fchools for the 

 rudimental knowledge neceflary to all arts, naval, military, mechanical, and others. 



Civil Engineers are a felf-created fet of men, whofe profeffion owes its origin not to 

 power or influence, but to the beft of all proteftion, the encouragement of a great and 

 powerful nation ; a nation become fo from the induftry and fteadinefs of its manufafturing 

 workmen, and their fuperior knowledge in practical chemiftry, mechanics, natural philo- 

 fophy, and other ufeful accomplifliments. 



When any one who has read the varied particulars of this publication, (huts and lays 

 it down for contemplation, he will reflect on the natural talents and fagacity requifite in 

 that mind which applies to fuch a profeffion ; on the patient application necefliary to ac- 

 quire all the fubfervient learning previous to the commencement of it ; and on the won- 

 derful and varied powers which this work exhibits. 



{Tt bt toncluded in eur fitxt.'] 



