An Encyclopedia of Civil Engineering, Historical, Theoretical, and Practical Classic Reprint

Excerpt from An Encyclopedia of Civil Engineering, Historical, Theoretical, and Practical

In England, the profession of the Civil ngineer was scarcely known until the middle of the last century, when the important discovery of the application of steam by James Watt, and its rapid development, called into existence a new class of mechanics, who gave a fresh impetus to manufactures by the improvement of all kinds of machinery. The vast commercial enterprise which attended this movement, and its great and growing success, have necessarily led to the enlargement of our harbours, and the Improvement of our inland navigation; the progress, too, of an enlightened civilisation in its regard for the sanatory ~condition of the empire, requires that our towns and cities shall be amply supplied with water, lighted; drained, &c.; while innumerable other causes are almost daily arising to call for the reconstruction of our quays, bridges, and every other work executed before this great and general movement in civilisation was made. During the last half century hundreds of millions sterling have been devoted to these important obj ects,.

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