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The Institution of Civil Engineers

Just one hundred years ago the Institution of Civil Engineers was accorded its Royal Charter of Incorporation (writes our London correspondent). The celebration of the centenary of the Institution, which has just taken place, is of especial interest, directing attention to the valuable part this learned society has played in the development of transportation throughtout the world. The Institution of Civil Engineers was founded in 1818. Its first headquarters were the Kendal Coffee House, in Fleet Street, London, and its first president was the well-known enginner of his day, Thomas Telford. The membership roll of the Institution to-day totals some ten thousand, and the prestige of the Society stands exceedingly high, for the greatest care is exercised to ensure that only persons qualified by the possession of the fullest engineering knowledge are admitted to membership. The transactions of the Institution, regularly published since 1836, are of the utmost value, alike for purposes of reference, and as a permanenet review of the development of engineering through the years.

A feature of the recent centenary celebrations was the gathering together at the London headquarters of the Institution of Civil Engineers of a unique collection of engineering models and scientific apparatus bearing upon transport in all its phases. Among the exhibits were well-produced displays illustrating the evolution of the metal rail for vehicles. First was shown the angle-rail, fastened to stone sleepers; secondly came the fish-bellied rail, upon which flanged wheels first were run; thirdly, the existing standard British rail with cast-iron chairs and wooden sleepers; and lastly, a similar type with cast-iron chairs resting on reinforced concerete sleepers, as representing the very last word in permanent way design. The centencary conference was opened by the president, Mr. E. F. C. Trench, consulting engineer to the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, and a number of most valuable papers bearing upon transportation in all its phases were submitted and read. Railwaymen all over the world have found memebership of the Institution of Civil Engineers of inestimable benefit, and engineers in every clime this year are joining in sending greetings and good wishes for the future of this most virile of engineering societes.

One man finds pleasures in improving his land, another his horses. My pleasure lies in seeing that I myself grow better day by day. —Socrates.

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