Experiments on Concrete of Different Cement Contents

PART VI. Prior to 1771, engineers who did not know each other very well often met accidentally in the Houses of Parliament and in the Courts of Justice, and frequently each stoutly maintained the superiority of his own opinions; and heated technical arguments were put forward for non-technical politicians to adjudicate upon. It was suggested to Smeaton that such a state of the profession was undesirable, and that it would be well if occasional meetings could be arranged where Civil Engineers might shake hands, and become personally acquainted, so that in this way, and by a friendly interchange of opinions on controversial subjects, and by a comparison of experiences, it might be possible to eliminate erroneous ideas and conduct their business “without jostling one another with rudeness, too common in the unworthy part of the advocates of the law, whose interest it might be to push them on, perhaps too far, in discussing points in contest.” E. Fiander Etchells

I should like to say a word with regard to Lhe origin of this paper. The paper which was read by Mr. H. Kempton Dyson some time ago acted as a thought stimulant, and started me pondering on flexural stress. The next incentive was the inauguration of the Lancashire & Cheshire Branch, and, being elected Chairman, circumstances willed me to prepare the first paper. This paper was written under very keen pressure, but, I have thought a good deal over it since, and, as a result, I commend it to your consideration. I hope you will set aside, for an hour or two at any rate, orthodox opinions, and treat this matter with a philosophical mind. I recognise that it is a serious thing to challenge a theory which is generations old, but, at the same time, I feel confident that there is supplementary resistance that we are not fully cognisant of. Albert S. Spencer Introdztctiorl. - There is an

Papers are to be read dealing with the metallurgical and electrical industries, aeronautics, &C., and excursions made to the "Usine de Gennevilliers de L’Union d’Electricitk,” to the “Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers,” and to the Eiffel Tower, &C. W. E. W.