TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION G. 791 



then early dawn of engineering knowledge, by sound common sense, a ready grasp 

 of first principles and of the essential points of a question, capacity for acquiring 

 knowledge, power of managing men and impressing them witli confidence, and 

 shrewdness in selecting competent assistants. These same qualities are still needed 

 for success in the present day, coupled with an opportunity of exhibiting them ; 

 but far more knowledge of mathematics and other sciences is required now, owing 

 to the enormous advances effected, if the progress of engineering science is to be 

 maintained. Even though in some branches engineers in large practice may not 

 have the time, or retain the requisite facility, for solving intricate mathematical 

 problems, they should be able readily to comprehend the full bearing of the prin- 

 ciples presented, and to understand the nature of the solutions put before them, 

 which nothing but the scientific faculty implanted by early training in mathema- 

 tics and physics can adequately secure. 



A qualifying examination for engineers would usefully stop persons at the out- 

 set from entering the profession, who failed to evince the possession of the requisite 

 preliminary knowledge: it would indicate, by the subjects selected, the kind of 

 training best calculated to fit a person to become a useful engineer ; and it would 

 protect^'the public, as far as practicable, from the injuries or waste of money that 

 might result from the mistakes of ill-qualified engineers. 



Specialising in Engineering.— Qome branches of engineering have for a long 

 time been kept distinct from others, such as the construction of steam-engines, 

 locomotives, and marine engines, ship-building, heavy ordnance, hydraulic 

 machinery, and other purely mechanical works, one or more of which have been 

 treated as specialities by certain firms, and also gas lighting, and, more recently, 

 electric lighting. In the department, however, of civil engineering in its narrower 

 signification, as distinguished from mechanical engineering, engiueers of former 

 times were regarded as equally qualified to undertake any of the branches of public 

 works ; and the same engineer might be entrusted with the execution of roads, 

 railways, canals, harbours, docks, sewerage works, and waterworks ; while even 

 steamships were not excluded from the category in Brunei's practice. The engineer 

 of to-day, indeed, would be lacking that important factor for success, common 

 sense, if he declined to execute any class of works which he might be asked to 

 undertake ; and a variety of works is very useful to the engineer in enlarging his 

 views and experience, as well as in extending the range of his practice. The 

 tendency, however, now in engineering, as in medicine, is for the engineer's practice 

 to be confined to the special branch in which he bad had most experience ; a resiilt 

 which cannot fail to be beneficial to the public, and calculated to promote the 

 progress of each branch. The powers of the human mind are too limited, and life 

 is too short, for engineers to be able to acquire, in the present day, equal proficiency 

 in the theory and practice of the several branches of engineering science, with their 

 ever-widening scope and development ; and, as in the domain of abstract science, 

 general progress will be best achieved in engineering science by the concentration 

 of the energies of engineers in the advancement of their special fine of practice. 



Value of Co??g7-esses on Special Branches of Engineering. — The scope of engi- 

 neeriug science is extending so fast that it is impossible for the Institution of Civil 

 Engineers, which, as the parent society, embraces every branch within its range of 

 subjects, to give more than a very limited time for the consideration and discussion 

 of papers relating to the non-mechanical branches of the profession comprised in 

 ■public works. Mechanical, electrical, and gas engineers have special societies of their 

 own for advancing their knowledge and publishing their views and experience, 

 while sharing equally with the other branches in the benefits of the older Institu- 

 tion. Congresses accordingly afford a valuable opportunity for railway, hydraulic, 

 and sanitary engineers of expressing their views, and enlarging their experience by 

 consultation and discussion with engineers of various countries. My experience of 

 the six maritime, inland navigation, and waterworks international congresses I have 

 attended in England and abroad, has convinced me of the very great value of such 

 meetings in collecting information, comparing views, and obtaining some knowledge 

 of foreign works and methods ; whilst the acquaintances formed with some of the 

 •most celebrated foreign engineers, afford opportunities of gaining further infor- 



