Excerpt from Civil and Mechanical Engineering Popularly and Socially Considered

The Scientific and general Engineering literature at the present time is of a very extensive and varied character, but however valuable it may be to those who make it a study, the ordinary reader will naturally find such volumes unintelligible and uninteresting. It has, therefore, occurred to the Author - who has had thirty-five years' experience in various branches of the profession - that a brief outline of its history, a description of the inner life of the Works and those connected with them, the system of management in great establishments, and the construction of ships and engines, might prove interesting and instructive to readers of all classes, if treated in a free and unconventional style.

In furtherance of this object, the language employed in this Work has been made as simple and as free from technicalities as possible, while a few of the experiences of private practice, a variety of useful information, and a sprinkling of anecdotes have been added, for the purpose of giving a little animation to the whole.

While endeavouring to impart in a pleasant way as much professional knowledge as possible, the writer has specially dedicated Chapter VI to those numerous people who "wish to know what to do with their boys." It is also hoped that Chapters XXIV, XXV and XXVI, will be instructive to those who desire a glimpse of the secrets of private practice.

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