"It is written in a plain unassuming style, entirely free from affectation and fine writing, 

 which are the bane of so many productions of unpractised writers. His account of his own 

 works is not damaged by undue assumption, and the narrative is enlivened by accounts of 

 extensive travels made at various times, partly in localities seldom visited. In a word, 

 although the autobiography bears a professional aspect, and contains much professional matter, 

 it is a perfectly readable book for the general public, and that is saying a great deal in its 

 favour." — Academy. 



" The details of the construction of the piers of London Bridge, penned as they are by the 

 designer, are of great pi-ofessioual interest, and the peculiar conditions under which the bridge 

 was built render it of more than usual importance, while the successful way in which all the 

 difficulties connected with the old bridge and the powerful scour at this part were overcome, 

 proclaim Sir J. Eennie as the king of bridge builders." — English Mechanic, Nov. 19, 1875. 



" This work contains the eventful life of a great and good man. An autobiography is 

 probably the most graphic and satisfactory way in which a picture of a life can be recorded. 

 To write a good autobiography is not an easy task ; the many failures show that success is 

 not given to everyone who makes the attempt. Comparatively few have the requisite art 

 and soundness of judgment to select and discriminate between what is only interesting to 

 themselves and that which the general public will care to know. The autobiography was 

 written late in life and entirely from memoiy. For more than half a century he occupied a 

 prominent position before the country, and was deservedly considered one of the most dis- 

 tinguished civil engineers of his generation. When such a man writes his own life we 

 naturally expect that it will contain something of real value ; we venture to say that in this 

 instance the reader will not be disappointed. Although the volume throughout contains a 

 finely spun thread of engineering science, still that is not the distinguishing characteristic of 

 this work ; it rather comprises the history of his professional career closely interwoven with 

 a rich store of miscellaneous information dating from the commencement of the century and 

 brought up to the present time. Renuie was gifted with a highly cultivated mind, and had 

 a genial sympathy with mankind in general, and invariably manifests a kind, hearty, generous 

 feeling for all ranks and conditions of men with whom he came in contact. More especially 

 is this trait shown with regard to his subordinates and to all with whom he was associated 

 in conducting an extensive engineering business throughout an active life. The volume 

 besides contains a considerable amount of original information, the greater part of the many 

 remarkable circumstances referred to came under his own observation, and in the numerous 

 romantic incidents that occur he was the chief actor. These all give a life and freshness to 

 the narrative which cannot fail to interest a wide circle of readers. The strictly professional 

 men, who care chiefly for the technology of the engineer, and who would prefer to have an 

 enlarged account of the great works on which the author was engaged — many of those works 

 being of a gigantic nature and surrounded with difficulty, all the more that they were executed 

 during the dawning of the most eventful period of applied science — may feel a shade of dis- 

 appointment. On the other hand, the omission of correspondence and official reports from 

 this narrative, giving just sufficient detail to make the subject easily understood, and elimi- 

 nating the dry bones of engineering, renders the work all the more valuable for popular 

 readmg. 



" There are few who delight in books who will not derive pleasure from the simple story 

 containing an ever-recurring train of stirring events in the life of a true man. Rennie in his 

 extensive travels visited some of the more interesting parts of the world, and had the rare 

 opportunity of meeting with celebrated men in all ranks of society, which his discerning 

 power of observation turns to good account, his keen eye noting all the salient features both of 

 men and character, as well as the surrounding circumstances in relation to art and nature. 



" The fragmentary references that have been made to this valuable autobiography convey 

 but an imperfect notion of the varied contents of the work, or of the character of the author 

 as shown in its pages. His amiability and innate goodness, for which he was so distinguished, 

 can only be known to those who had the privilege of personal intercourse. To those who have 

 not met the author in his lifetime, the genial and unselfish character of the man may in some 

 measure be realized by the expression of the portrait which accompanies the volume." — 

 Examiner, Dec. 18, 1875. 



" The autobiography was written by Sir John after he had retired from the actual duties 

 of his profession. It is now presented to the public in its original state, having merely 

 undergone some necessary corrections, in the hope that the memoir of a man, perhaps 

 unrivalled in his branch of the profession, and which contains valuable hints as to the 

 neglected art of hydraulics as well as advice to engineers commencing their career, together 

 with the reminiscences of one who had seen much of men and things, may be useful and 

 interesting to many — and so they will." — City Press, 



London: E. & F. N. SPON, 48, Charing Cross. 



New York; 446, Broome Street. 



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