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for consideration. The spans of the girders being so large, and 
steel being so much stronger in proportion to its weight than iron, 
the former material has been selected; the confidence of the 
engineer in the success of his undertaking being thereby confirmed. 
One of the most interesting associations connected with the 
history of the old. Maryport furnace is the fact that the period during 
which it was in operation was made resplendent by the genius of the 
great men who were then directing their energies to the advance- 
ment of Science and Practical Mechanics bearing on the develop- 
ment of manufactures. In the front rank stood James Watt, aided 
and encouraged by Drs. Black, Priestly, Dalton, and Darwin. 
Truly may we say in the words of Watt’s epitaph—“They enlarged 
the resources of their country, and increased the power of man.” 
