Italian Irrigation. 
191 
XII. — The School of Engineers. 
This enviable picture would perliaps but mislead us if it were 
unaccompanied by some account of the Italian engineer — his 
training and social position. First, the Italian school of en- 
gineers is coeval with its irrigation. " With the revival of 
knowledge in Italy," writes Colonel Baird Smith, "the art of 
hydraulic engineering was called into existence." Again he 
speaks of " the high character and qualifications of that immense 
body of hydraulic-engineers which has been created by the 
general development of the system of irrigation, and its intimate 
relations with the rights of property and the progress of improve- 
ment." And again: "The judicial authorities base all their 
decisions, in all questions of hydraulic art, on their evidence. 
And, under the general name of periti, we find them holding 
an< important position in the whole course of the legislation of 
irrigation from the earliest times to the present day. The dis- 
charge of the duties required at their hands is always delicate 
and difficult ; but as a class they are universally respected for 
general efficiency, good faith, and professional honour." 
Of the engineers of Lombardy Colonel Baird Smith writes : 
" It will be readily understood how important a part they are 
required to take in the whole agricultural system. Not only do 
they design and superintend the construction of various kinds of 
works, whether ordinary or hydraulic, which are required, but 
the whole of the details of leases, the preparation of the various 
documents required on the part of landlord and tenant, and 
advice as to the different improvements of which the land may 
be susceptible, are committed to or required of them. The pro- 
lession is consequently one of the highest utility. The education 
of the young engineers is very carefully attended to, and involves 
four years of apprenticeship to an established engineer. Degrees, 
as in Piedmont, are given at the University of Pavia ; and I 
must state that, after having been in personal communication 
with a large number of the class, I formed a high estimate of 
their professional ability and general intelligence. The require- 
ments of the system have called into existence a special division 
of the profession, who, under the title of Ingegneri Avvocati, are 
employed in all cases involving legal questions in hydraulics. 
To illustrate the demand for engineers, I was informed, perhaps 
with some exaggeration, that in Milan alone there were not less 
than 400 ; while many more are of course spread abroad over the 
face of the country." 
The above reference to Piedmont is thus explained : — 
" The profession of the civil engineer in Piedmont is divided 
into three grades, of which the highest is the hydraulic engineer ; 
