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■with nails, or in some cases with soldered dots, which, as you know are screws covered with solder. We must now pass on to the lead pipes used in conveying water to and from cisterns, sinks, &c. Pipes are jointed to gether with solder, cither by wiped or blown joints, the former is the older method, and consists of opening one end of the pipe in order to receive the end of the length of the pipe to be joined with it, which end has been previously shaved; the two ends being brought together and secured in a steady position, the molten metal as contained in a small ladle is taken in the one hand, and the wiper in the other, metal is poured on the joint and wiped round until the bulb join, so well known, is obtained; these joints are generally finished off with a hot iron, but an experienced plumber would be able to. wipe a joint and finish it off without its use. It is of great importance in these joints that the molten metal should be used at a certain degree of heat, such that can only be ascertained by experience. Where this experience is wanting it is generally sought to conceal that fact by the use of the iron and tallow, the object being to leave the solder such a colour that to an inexperienced eye may appear to denote a joint made with metal at the right heat and wiped and finished without an iron. Blown joints are formed as may be inferred from their name, with the aid of the blow-pipe ; these joints are not so neat in appearance as the wiped joints, but many believe they are much stronger, because by the aid of the blow pipe the molten solder is brought into contact with the ends of the pipes, and the whole formed into a more solid and compact joint than can be done by merely pouring over the liquid metal on ends of pipes that must chill it, and thus unless great care is used form but an imperfect joint. I cannot conclude without calling attention to two or three other matters of practical importance. Many have doubtless noticed the unpleasant noise made in service pipes when the tap has been turned off suddenly ; sometimes the pipe has been fractured by this means ; it can be obviated by carrying a piece of pipe beyond the tap and turning the same upwards, or by inserting an air vessel; also on the other side of the tap ; in either case the air in the receptacles become compressed at the turning off the tap and thus prevents the unpleasantness before described. From an experience of the serious conse quences of taking the waste pipes of cisterns into D traps, soil pipes, &c., I would advise that in all cases these pipes should be carried into rain water pipes, external gutters, or into inter nal sinks, indeed anywhere, but where they will become as ventilating shafts to the soil or drain pipes. I have seen attempts made to trap the tops of these pipes but the result was a complete failure. I would also direct attention to the great importance of using traps to keep back the stench from soil waste and other pipes. To sinks it is well to apply a D trap, with a brass cap screwed and fixed to the side of the trap, this gives access and enables it to be cleaned out at any time. Safes, under closets, should also be provided with small taps, and in order to keep a sufficient supply of water in them, a small pinhole is made in the service pipe, to the pan of the closet, in order that every time the closet is used, a small supply of water may pass from the lead safe into the small trap, and thus make it perfect, otherwise it is a question of time only when the water will evaporate, and your lead safe with its outlet becomes a ventilator to the large D trap or soil pipe, connected with the WC apparatus. As regards waste pipes from sinks, I do think where it is practicable, the old plan is the best, and that is to take them outside the buildings and let them discharge over some bell or other trap as may be fixed in the paving of yard or areas. I cannot here describe the several kinds of WC apparatus now in use ; I do not know any kind that appear to my mind to fill all the requirements that as, I think constitute a perfect apparatus : it is perhaps, because I require so much, great simplicity in the parts, the water applied in such a way that the contents of the basin shall be removed in the least possible amount of time, with the least possible amount of water, also a perfect and simple trap, and perfect quietness when at work. I would suggest the more extensive use of air pipes from D traps and soil pipes ; they may be carried into chimney shafts, or otherwise disposed of, and will at a very small expense assist materially in keeping the premises free from noxious smells. Double trapping never should be allowed, and wherever found should be destroyed. I feel I have done but scant justice to an important subject. If however I shall have succeeded in gaining for plumbcr’s-work more attention than it has received of late years at the hands of the architect, I shall not have worked in vain. Let my last words of advice be, never be careless over the Specification for Plumbers’ Work. Mr. Bunker, with respect to the relative merits of zinc and lead, stated that zinc, if properly laid, was a very desirable material. The question of cost, however, required some consideration. The price of zinc was from eightpence halfpenny to tenpence per foot. If taken up after having been laid down a few years it was worth nothing. Lead which cost from twenty to thirty shillings per cwt. when taken up was worth nearly the same. With reference to the corroding power of wainscot upon lead, he said there was a conflict of opinion. He had a theory of his own, which was that the iron which oak largely contained acted upon lead as a corrosive agent, causing a sort of gal vanic action. He thought the best way of preventing the bursting of pipes was to have a tap on the service pipe leading to the cistern, and when the frost set in, to turn that off, and prevent water getting into the house pipes. It would cause temporary inconvenience, but it would save the expense and trouble so much complained of. Any bursting would be outside the premises. The President called attention to the very solid appearance of mediaeval ornamental lead work. It was to be regretted that archi tects could not obtain the same solidity and mass now a days for vanes, finials, &c. Iron being a stronger material, was made much more slender, and did not harmonise so well with massive stone work, as lead, looking poor and wiry, especially when at any height. THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS. THE ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT,* Chari.es Hutton Gregory. In addressing you, Gentlemen, as I now do for the first time as President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, 1 feel deeply the honor you have conferred upon me by electing me to be the successor of the many distinguished men who have hitherto occupied this chair. If I can never hope to leave behind me such a reputation as they have achieved by high attainments and great works, my heartiest efforts will be devoted to emulating their example, by presiding with courtesy and fairness over your deliberations, and by promoting, by every means in my power, the interests and progress of the profession, in the earnest hope that, by your kind support, and the cordial co-operation of my colleagues in the Council, this Institution may be maintained, during my tenure of office, in undiminished usefulness and honour. Fifty years ago, on the 2nd of January, 1818, this Institution was founded, its members then being only six in number. On the 21st of March, 1820, Thomas Telford, our first President, in his inaugural address, referred to the nature of the Institution and its probable future usefulness, and pointed out the significant fact, that while, in foreign countries, such institutions depended on Governments for their support, in this country their existence and their prosperity were dependent on the united action of the individual members. In this, our jubilee year, we may with pride, congratulate ourselves that Telford’s views have been justified, and even surpassed, in succeeding years of increasing prosperity, in our satisfactory financial condition, in our numbers, now comprising 1,472 members of all classes, in the formation of our Student Class, and our Benevolent Fund, and the firm establishment of the Institution of Civil Engineers as the recognized representative body of the profession, comprising within its ranks, past and present, the names of so many, illustrious in abstract or practical science, whose labours have enlarged the resources of our country, and materially pro moted the civilization of the world. To trace out the progress of the Institution, and to refer to the greatest works of its members, is not my present object; indeed pre vious Presidents have treated these subjects so exhaustively, that such a history would be little less than a recapitulation of their addresses. But a reference to our past records has brought to light one document which I venture now to lay before you, believing that it must be interesting to every Engineer, from its authorship, and from its bearing on the history of the Institution. At a meeting of the Council held on December 29th, 1827, it was “Resolved—That Mr. Tredgold be written to, requesting him to define the objects of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and to give a description of what a Civil Engineer is, in order that this description and these objects may be embodied in a Petition to the Attorney- General, in application for a Charter.” At the following meeting of Council on January 4th, 1828, the * Delivered before the Institution of Civil Engineers, January, ISOS'. 6