1807. | Engineering — Civil and Mechanical. 251 



distributed in the transactions of various societies and institutions, 

 and seven papers on various subjects compiled by Mr. Fairbairn 

 himself. The first two lectures contain a short and concise history of 

 the advancements made in science and art ; the results arising from 

 which have been to quadruple the productive powers of the country, 

 and to diffuse a spirit of intelligence amongst all classes of the com- 

 munity. The third chapter is on " Labour : its Influences and 

 Achievements." After pointing out the necessity of labour, on which 

 all are dependent for their subsistence, the author divides his sub- 

 ject into two heads— viz., mental and physical labour, which is 

 further subdivided into skilled and unskilled labour. The points 

 sought to be established in this lecture are, first, that labour is 

 inherent in man and in animals ; secondly, that its use is important, 

 and ought to be cultivated ; thirdly, that its influence is powerful 

 and effective ; and lastly, that its achievements are great. The 

 fourth lecture on " Literary and Scientific, Societies " is a reprint of 

 an address delivered at the inauguration of the Southport Athenaeum. 

 In this the advantages of literary and scientific institutions are 

 pointed out, as well as the necessity of careful study and untiring 

 industry, for the attainment of distinction and success. The two 

 other lectures are on " The Thickness of the Earth's Crust," and 

 on " Iron and its Appliances." In the latter of these, iron is fol- 

 lowed through the different stages of its utility, and it is treated in 

 its appliance to the steam-engine, to millwork, and to machinery ; 

 the varied forms and conditions being noticed in which it is 

 employed for security, on the one hand, and its economical distri- 

 bution for the purposes of construction, on the other. 



The other papers relate to the machinery of the Paris Exhi- 

 bition of 1855, and of the London Exhibition of 1862, to which 

 are added a treatise on Iron Eoofs, Eesearches on the Insulation 

 of Submarine Cables (undertaken at the request of the Atlantic 

 Telegraph Company), and Experiments to determine the effect of 

 impact, vibratory action, and long-continued changes of loads on 

 wrought-iron girders. 



At the present time, when every one is expected to possess some 

 knowledge on scientific subjects, papers such as those above referred 

 to cannot become too generally known; for whilst they contain 

 much " useful information for engineers," the absence of all un- 

 necessary technicalities renders them suitable also for the general 

 reader. 



