56 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECTS JOURNAL. 



[February, 



clearly it is to his own interest to make the best possible use of his time. It 

 is not within the limits of an article for a Journal, to enter more fully into 

 detail, but we have endeavoured in as brief a manner as consistent with the 

 nature and magnitude of the subject, to draw the outline of a plan of edu- 

 cation, that from actual trial, we can seriously recommend for adoption. We 

 would fain conclude here, but cannot resist making a few passing remarks 

 on the several schools for engineers that have lately sprung into existence. 

 However radically good the principles and intentions of any establishment 

 may be, professing to teach a young man engineering, however well such 

 principles may be carried out and matured by able and efficient masters, they 

 will fall immeasurably short of their purpose, when compared with the pre- 

 ceding course. For it is not within the limits of a school-room education, to 

 convey that inestimable practical knowledge, which can only be acquired by 

 constant every day association with bodies of men, whose daily bread is 

 earned with the sweat of their brow, and who can readily and satisfactorily 

 explain any questions or doubts that may arise connected with their indi- 

 vidual trades. The latter course may, indeed, materially assist the embryo 

 engineer in the earlier part of his career ; but having arrived at a suitable 

 age, the workshop, and then the open field, from the slaking out of the rail- 

 way to the laying of the permanent rails, will be found far more congenial 

 to the spirit and practice of engineering. In conclusion, it is our decided 

 opinion, that an individual educated according to our method, and possessing, 

 in a fair degree, all the advantages arising from it, will be fully competent, at 

 the expiration of his articles, to undertake some responsible and remune- 

 rating situation ; and it is not too much to anticipate, that if he be an in- 

 dustrious and persevering character, he will materially benefit any works 

 with which he may become connected ; and with good natural talents, as- 

 sisted by standard ability, he may possibly shine forth a bright star in the 

 wide sphere of a distinguished profession ; and should he not be fortunate 

 enough to rival the memories of Brindlev. Smeaton, Telford, Watt, Ste- 

 phenson or Brunei, he may perhaps leave behind him lasting monuments of 

 his skill, that would do credit to his more illustrious and deservedly re- 

 nowed predecessors. 



Now for a few words bearing on the prospects of engineering, and its 

 disciples. When we review the statistics of railways, and reflect upon the 

 enormous quantity of money (£70,000,000) expended by private individuals 

 on such speculations, within the limited period of railway existence— when 

 we consider the little return such parties have had for their invested capital 

 up to the present time, the heavy loans several companies have still to pay 

 off. notwithstanding the fallacious exhibition of prosperity, in the declaration 

 of a moderate dividend to the shareholders— when, moreover, we consider the 

 riinous s:ate of trade, the prevalence of distress, the sluggish circulation of 

 specie this last two or three years, caused by the diffidence of large money 

 holders to let it change hands— and when, lastly, we contrast the super- 

 abundant supply of engineering skill compared with the demand, we cannot 

 feel surprised taking iull cognizance of the above, and many other contin- 

 gent circumstances, at finding engineering in the unpromising condition it 

 has presented of la'e. It is now generally admitted, that profuse expendi- 

 ture has been the prevailing feature of railways hitherto constructed ; and it 

 should be the aim of future companies to complete their engagements with 

 as much economy as is consistent with the durability and magnitude of the 

 undertaking. We do not object, let it be understood, to additional expense 

 being bestowed on the great arteries diverging from the metropolis, for such 

 may be looked upon as public works, and have a reputation to hold up ; but 

 he' smaller veins branching from the main trunks, should be made at as 

 litile cost as possible. Once let a right spirit of economy be established be- 

 tween the directors of railways and their engineer, and we shall soon have 

 public confidence restored, and a new impulse given to the profession. There 

 are many lines that must be laid out and finished, to render the ramifications 

 of the system complete in England. The grand link connecting Scotland — 

 will there not be two?— is yet wanting in the chain. Ireland is as yet un- 

 touched would not a good system of internal locomotive communication go 



a Ion" way to improve the civilization and better the condition of that un- 

 happy and distressed country? This would be, indeed, desirable, if only for 

 its moral and social effect. And is not her soil as capable of sustaining 

 rails, and yielding profit too, as any other land ? And we do think that, 

 could the government overcome its present difficulties, and improve the 

 revenue, it would do well to assist a spirited public in their meritorious 

 desire to form a thorough railway connection throughout the entire kingdom, 

 at least in such cases as presented ostensible means of remuneration for 

 invested capital. It is true the public were too prone to believe, at the com- 

 mencement of the railway mania, that in committing their money to the 

 coffers of the company, it was to be multiplied to the unwarrantable height 

 of their expectation; but their too sanguine anticipations were disappointed, 

 and sad experience begat caution— we hope not discouragment; for it was 

 not likely, upon contemplation, that an impetuous torrent, the characteristic 

 of early railway speculation, bursting from its source, could dash on in its 

 headlong course without meeting, at no very remote period, with some coun- 

 teracting agency— some impediment to its success. 



Now, when we meditate on the crowded state of the avenues to all descrip- 

 tions of avocations for the last few years, we cannot feel astonished that, 

 upon the introduction of a comparatively new profession, as engineering' 

 public attention should be diverted into a fresh channel, and seize with 

 avidity upon one holding out such promising advantages. At this period, 

 too, there were comparatively very few men who had been really trained to 

 the profession ; numbers, however, upon ascertaining the necessary qualifi- 

 cations, went vigorously to work — but then time was an essential requisite 

 to collect materiel ; and in the interim a body of men, termed surveyors, pos- 

 sessing a tolerably good knowledge of their business, with a smattering of a 

 few properties bearing some analogy to this branch of engineering, availed 

 themselves of the opportunity, managed to get employed (for want of better 

 substitutes) in some inferior capacity at first, until gradually acquainting 

 themselves with a few of the details, arrogated to themselves the term of 

 " Civil Engineers; " and before the genuine pupil had matured his educa- 

 tion, these men hail obtained, and do now hold, several of the best situations 

 in the service. This incident will doubtless explain why there have been, 

 and are, so many intelligent articled pupils out of employment ; and it is a 

 known fact that many have left the profession, their patience quite exhausted. 

 Again, did the younger scion of a respectable family, in the innocence of 

 boyish delight, sketch anything resembling a steam-engine, the anxious 

 parent felt persuaded " the boy was a genius," and only required to be 

 educated as an engineer to develop extraordinary talent. A great number of 

 these geniuses, how ever, soon finding that engineering to be properly under- 

 stood was no easy matter, floundered on for awhile, and at length gave it up 

 as a hopeless business. Nevertheless there were many, having endured much 

 tribulation, passed the rubicon, ar,d thus swelled the numerical strength of the 

 profession. It would appear, therefore, from the preceding analysis, that 

 whilst the demand was falling off. the supply of bona fide engineers and self- 

 amitled adventurers were increasing in a formidable ratio. The present 

 aspect is, consequently, gloomy enough ; but there is this satisfaction, if it 

 be any, that, being at the bottom of the wheel, the next change will, in all 

 likelihood, brighten the prospect. Upon reviewing the system of railway 

 policy abroad, we cannot but advise the matured pupil to strive hard for 

 employment at home before seeking it elsewhere ; for Englishmen are not 

 treated on the continent with that good feeling and generous acknowledg- 

 ment of their worthiness to which they are justly entitled. There is likewise 

 much jealousy existing amongst the French, and it almost invariably happens 

 that such English engineers as have been led by promising hopes to enter 

 into engagements have, upon a short trial of their continental neighbours, 

 found their position so unpleasant as to cause resignation of office, if possible, 

 and in default of that, to put up with much unmerited insolence, or have 

 been unceremoniously discharged at the immediate expiration of the articles 

 of agreement, but not before their wily superiors (in office, notabilities) have 

 taken good care to reap a rich harvest of experimental knowledge from the 

 solid acquirements of their employe's. Many there are too, wearied with long 

 inactivity, and despairing of obtaining situations in their own country have 

 turned their attention to colonial prospects. But here, we fear, they will fall 

 far short of their expectations ; for the present condition of our colonies is 

 not of that settled or flourishing nature as to favour the designs of the accom- 

 plished engineer. The fact is, a country must be in a tolerably advanced 

 state of civilization— must possess extended commerce, internal trade— must 

 have substantial resourcesof us own, and contain a strong body of capitalists 

 devoted to the execution of public work, before it can be pronounced in a fit 

 state to admit of engineering operations with any hope of success. 



It is true a few surveyors may meet with encouragement in the more recent 

 settlements of New Zealand and thereabouts, to head the exploring staffs in 

 plotting out the ground for future emigrants, and there is no doubt of the 

 existence of certain districts in America (especially the more southern parts) 

 where the mechanical department might be carried on to a very profitable 

 extent. But then what man is there, without some very definite plans for, and 

 sure prospect of speedy success, a voluntary exile from father-land, and the 

 comforts of home, with all its cherished attractions, could embark his living 

 in such truly outlandish speculations. Wiiat are we to do then, is the ge- 

 neral and anxious inquiry. Wait patiently, till the tide of fortune takes a 

 more favourable turn, which we hope is not far distant. There is much left 

 to be done in old England ; and could the country once again recover from 

 the depressed state, under which withering influence it has so long laboured, 

 there is no doubt that engineering, like all other avocations, will quickly re- 

 sume its former activity, and then every properly constituted member of the 



profession will meet with his due share of employment. 



An Artesian Well in the Sea.— An attempt is now being made at 

 Brighton, to obtain water from beneath the chalk under the sea. The ope- 

 rations for this purpose are being carried on at the head of the chain pier, 

 and it is confidently expected that the strata of chalk at this spot does not 

 exceed 70 feet in thickness, through which, on arriving at the green sand, a 

 constant unfailing supply of pure water is anticipated. 



