Ebook Sixty-Three Years of Engineering

A word or two seem necessary to explain the arrangement of this book.

It has been difficult to follow any strict chronological sequence. The author's reminiscences group themselves for the most part, and naturally, round the separate enterprises in which he has taken part. Many of these took several years to carry through. He has, therefore, had to choose between a continuous narrative or treating each enterprise or group of enterprises in a separate chapter. Since the interest of the book depends rather on what he has to say about these enterprises than upon the exact sequence of events, he has chosen the latter method.

The book has, for the sake of clearness, been divided into three parts. An Introductory Chapter deals chiefly with the writer's father. Sir Charles Fox, and a few early reminiscences. Part One contains what the author has to say about railways and tunnels. Part Two describes his work in the restoration of ancient buildings. And Part Three is devoted to a number of miscellaneous memories and topics, which could not be grouped under either of the above-named headings.