80 SMEATON'S PRIVATE LIFE PAET VI. 



class then beginning to be known by the generic term 

 of Engineers. The place of meeting was the Queen's 

 Head Tavern in Holborn ; and after they had come 

 together a few times, the members declared themselves 

 a Society, and kept a register of membership, free 

 social conversation on matters relating to their business 

 being the object of their meetings. Some personal dis- 

 agreement, however, occurring, through the offensive 

 behaviour of one of the members, Mr. Smeaton withdrew 

 from the club, which came to an end in 1792. Mr. 

 Holmes says of him, that though of a very kindly and 

 genial nature, he was occasionally abrupt, and, to those 

 who did not know him, apparently harsh in his manner ; 

 and that he would sometimes break out hastily when 

 anything was said that did not tally with his ideas, not 

 being disposed to yield upon any point on which he 

 argued until his mind was convinced by sound rea- 

 soning. 1 



Mr. Smeaton earned a fair income by the practice of 

 his profession ; but he was no worshipper of money. 

 Though he had an insatiable appetite for work, and was 

 occupied in useful pursuits from youth to old age, his 

 pecuniary wants were most moderate. Those were not 

 the days when great fortunes were to be made by en- 

 gineering ; and Mr. Smeaton was satisfied to be paid 

 two guineas for a full day's work. Moreover, he refused 

 new engagements rather than imperfectly perform what 

 he had already undertaken. He also limited his profes- 

 sional employment, that he might be enabled to devote 

 a certain portion of his time to self-improvement and 

 scientific investigation. The maxim which governed his 

 life was, that " the abilities of the individual were a debt 

 due to the common stock of public well-being." This 

 high-minded principle, on which he faithfully acted, 

 kept him free from sordid self-aggrandisement, and he 



1 Mr. Holmes's Short Narrative,' p. 15. 



