The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-13 00:00:00

Institute of Civil Engineers.

The anniversary dinner of the Institute of Civil
Engineers was held last night at Willis's Rooms, St.
James's. The chair was occupied by Mr. John R.
M'Lean, C.E., the president.
The customary loyal and national toasts were
drunk with the usual cordiality ; that of the Army,
Navy, and Volunteers was acknowledged by the
Duke of Somerset, Sir A. Waugh, and Col. Erskine
respectively. _ _

The Noble DUKE referred to the great advantages
which accrued to the navy as well as the merchant
service from the labours of engineers in the construc-
tion of docks, lighthouses, &c., without which appli-
ances commerce could not be carried on nor civilisa-
tion spread in different parts of the earth. He said
that it was doubted by some if much or any im -
provement had been made of late years in literature
or art, but there was no doubt that rapid strides had
been made in engineering, and the influence of the
latter was more widely felt and more generally ac-
knowledged ; for in places where our language was
not known and our religion was repudiated, the
wdrks of our engineers were to be seen and appre-
ciated.

Major-Gen. Sir A. WAUGH, in returning thanks
for the army, adverted to the importance of engineer-
ing science in warfare, and trusted that engineering
might be made a still more prominent branch in the
service.

Colonel ERSKINE, in responding forthe volunteers,
referred to the connection they had with the engi-
neering profession in the formation of a volunteer
staff of traffic managers and officials for the speedy
and safe transit of troops in case of invasion.
(Cheers.)

The CHAIRMAN next gave " The Houses of Lords
and Commons," associated with the names of Earl
Granville and Mr. Roebuck, M.P.
The noble EARL, in acknowledging the toast, said
that although since he had been a member of the
House of Lords he had not had so much acquaint-
ance as formerly with the business in the railway
committees, yet he recollected in his younger days
being very greatly amused at the different sides
which lawyers and engineers took upon the same
question, and no doubt the same diversity of opinion
existed now as in former days • but it was gratifying
to see that in the face of these differences of profes-
sional opinion so many great works were carried to
a successful issue in this and all parts of the world.
(Cheers.) He remembered on one occasion a con-
versation which was related to him by Sir James
Hudson, our Minister in Italy, which showed in a
striking manner the opinions held by engineers that
nothing was impossible. Count Cavour, in his plans
of improvement for the North of Italy, was desirous
that a road should be made across a portion of the
Alps, and asked Mr. Brassey, our eminent contractor,
his opinion on the subject, telling him at the same
time the physical difficulties that existed in the way
of the road. He said there was a great deal of water.
c 4 That,” said Mr. Brassey, " is generally found on
the sides of mountains." " Then, too, there was a
quantity of mud." " That," said the contractor,
" must be scooped out." " But there are many
clefts in the rock." " They," replied the un-
daunted engineer, " can be bridged over." (A
augh.) Count Cavour asked if he then thought
the work possible. " If," said Mr. Brassey, " you
will find the money I will undertake to do the
work." (A laugh.) The noble earl thanked the
company for the compliment they had paid to the
House of Lords.

Mr. ROEBUCK also acknowledged the great debt
of gratitude which the country owed to the engi-
neers, and more particularly with regard to the
to that at
afforded
and important works which they had already
carried out in India, and which he hoped would be
still further extended, not merely with respect to
rmaeilawnasyosf butcommunication
alsomregard
which wa ffimordpeodrtabny
means .of the electric telegraph to India. He relied
for the protection of that telegraph on the feart
which England inspired among the natives of the
country through which it passed, and that influence
was in no small degree due to the Home of Com-
mons, which so liberally provided the means of
enabling it to support its power and influence all
over the world.
The CHAIRMAN next gave the toast of " Our
Visitors," coupled with the name of Lord Stanley.
Lord STANLEY, in reply, adverted to the impor-
tant effects of engineering enterprise, and mentioned
three undertakings at present in progress as instanc-
ing the vast influences of this field of labour—viz.,
the American Telegraph, the Mont Cenis 'Tunnel,
and the Suez Canal. He claimed for this branch of
science a greater influence in general improvement
than any other ; and maintained that the private
individuals who had constituted, as well as at pre-
sent constitute, the Institution of Civil Engineers,
did more for the world than any soldiers or states-
men could accomplish. His lordship. proposed the
toast of " Prosperity to the Institution of Civil

Engineers."
Mr. BIDDER, in returning thanks, said that it had
been in existence exactly half a century, and that
he himself had been a member of it for 40 years.
The members at the commencement numbered only
110, and out of that number but 11 were -now