The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-12
PROFESSIONAL srANpARp.

PkOfErSloNAAs SiANOAhD
Does this aggregate mass of engineers at
tain 10 as high "a professional standard ms,
All things considered, our modern civiliza-
ton would lead us 10 expect? Does this body
of men. who. without question, are of vastly
more importance TO the world than those OF
any other one profession OF trade, stand as
high In the estimation Of lheir fellOw-Ilen a.
their important position would seem 10 de-
Inand. And their craft zone which. II prop
eriy practiced, requires as much learning as
40 the crafts of law or medicne) thoroughly
recognized as one Of the learned professions?
To these queries we engineers cannot, I'M
qulirediy. give an affirmative reply. In !he
hrst place, we do not in all cases make high
enough and absolute enough our standard OF
qualifications for admission 10 our ranks. In
the second place, we do not have our forces
automatically organizeiint a mighty army.
with unbroken front. which would compel TO
n proper degree, the admiration and respect
Of the non-engineerins world for the profess
sion az whole. We have, on the contrary.
been fghting TOO much upon The guerilla
principle. and have too often shown the world
brilliant dashes by individuals, unsupported
by the great body OF their fellow-nghters. In
a retrospective glance through history we
which prevented engineering being In early
times definitely organized as learned
profession. Among these causes was posi-
bly, the fact that the men on whom alone.
among the Intellectual classes. devolved the
bulk OF the hard work OF the worlds adyanc-
Ing civilization, the engineers and architects.
were too busy for even cuitivating each
Others acquaintance, 10 say nothing of that of
the lazy kings and knights aud priests. who
were the leaders of Influential society. In
times OF war these kings aud kDights-lazy
no ionger-called upon their men OF practical
science TO build their roeds and forts aud
towers. their ballistas and their catapults
Thus arose the military engineer. He was
far too important man 20 have his eyes put
out. or TO be walled-up alive Ia one of his own
mattresses, after the completion OF his first
valuable piece Of work, as had been the plea
ant experiece Of some Of his civil brethren
He grew 10 rank with other high officials OF
the army which he helped 10 Keep In exis-
tencs, aud organized his work after the me-
thods OF hts feiiow-soldlers. Hence the sys-
tematic education and training. the esprit de
corps and high professional status OF the
body OF men that should In some respects be
the model for the now larger body OF their
iineai descendants. the civil engineers.
SCIENCE AND LITERATURE
Our embryo engineer should not, however.
take sides so strongly In favor of pure science
rs TO ignore entirely the claims OF polite III.
e.ature. TOO many OF our young men who
ae fhiibful students and earnest workers,
hut who are too poor 20 take a fun college
course or who. yet more unfortunately, can
take no course al All, beyond the common
school or academy. are apt 70 imbibe con.
tempt for beiles-lettres. and even, IN some
cases. for the shade Of Lindley Murray him
self They wish 20 be intensely engineers,
and are willing 10 DO nothing more ignoring
social life and other pleasures In their zeal |
for their chosen work.
~ such young men the advice cannot be