Italian Irrifjation. 
173 
in an undertaking on which their sympathies, their experience, 
antl their intelligence may be brought to bear — an undertaking 
which holds out a prospect of considerable, and, on the whole, 
steady prolits, seems worthy of consideration and of such discus- 
sion as the leading features of the scheme naturally suggest. 
P. H. Frere. 
XI. — Reviexo of ' Italian Irrigation, hij R. Baird Smith, Captain 
of Engineers, Bengal Presidency, F.G.S.' * By P. H. Frere. , 
SuMMAET OF CoxTEMTS. — I. Italian Irrigation, its extent and money-value. — 
II. The Climate and Xatural advantages of Northern Italy. — III. Its 
Lakes. — IV. The History of Italian Irrigation. — V. The Naviglio 
Grande. — VI. The cost of constructing a Canal. — VII. The Canal of 
Pavia. — VIII. Management of Irrigated Laud. — IX. Comparative state- 
ment of expenses of cultivation. — X. The Laying-out of 'Water-meadows. 
— XI. Tenure of Land and the "Consegna" or Lease. — XII. The 
School of Engineers. — XIII. Springs. — XIV. The Price of Water. — 
XV. The Measurement of Water. — XVI. The Law, and course of Legis- 
lation. — XVII. Conclusion. 
Some years haA'e passed since, under instructions from the Court 
of Directors of the East India Company, the late Colonel Baird 
Smith thoroughly- investigated the irrigation system of Northern 
Italy, and made known the results in a Report, " published by 
authoritv," which fills two volumes octavo. 
The size of this work, consequent on the complete manner 
* A brief notice of the leading incidents in the life of this distinguished ofBcer 
may give additional interest and ■weight to this record of his researches and 
opinions. In 1S41 Lieutenant Baird Smith, K.E., became connected with the 
Canal Department of our North- West Provinces in India. He had already won 
the higliest reputation as an hydraulic engineer ■n'hen the Sikh war gave him 
opportunity for doing brilliant service in the field both at Aliwal, as aide-de- 
camp to Sir H. Smith, and again as engineer in charge at the passage of the 
Chenab under Sir Colin Campbell. Illness, consequent on exposure to wet on 
the latter occasion, led to his return to Europe. This paved the way for his 
Italian investigations, which were followed up by an examination of the canals 
of North America. lu 18.54, at the special request of his predecessor, Sir Proby 
Cautley, he was appointed head of his old department, in which capacity, whether 
acting as engineer, as revenue officer, or as a magistrate, he gave universal satisfac- 
tion, lu the mutiny of 1857, as chief engineer, he made out the whole jdan of 
the successful assault on Delhi, though a wound prevented him from superintend- 
ing its execution. In recognition of his services lie was then made a Companion 
of the Order of the Bath, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, and Aide-de-camp to the 
Queen. His great merit, together with his impaired health, pointed him out for 
the honourable and lucrative office of Master of the Mint at Calcutta. But again, 
when a national exigence — the last Indian famine — arose, the public voice called 
for his appointment as Special Commissioner. He obeyed the call ; and in success- 
fully grapi)ling with that great calamity, freely expended all his remaining 
energies. Having completed his work, he returned to Calcutta, and died at 
Madi-as on his way home to England, 
