Minutes of Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers Volume 106 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 Excerpt: ...before admission; but when once they have become members, they do nothing whatever towards advancing the science of law, unless it be by actively pursuing their profession in their individual capacity. The Institution of Civil Engineers stands in a very different position from such professional bodies as the Society of Writers to the Signet. The mere fact that membership iB confined to those who are actively engaged, and have attained some degree of eminence, in the profession, does not militate against the object of the institution being the advancement of engineering science; because they are really the only persons possessing the knowledge and practical experience requisite for the efficient promotion of that object. Membership is not required for admission to the profession of a civil engineer: it confers no rights or privileges in the practice of that profession, over which the institution neither has, nor professes to have any power of control. A writer to the signet in carrying on his private business, and practically in no other form, exercises his rights and privileges as a member of the society to which he belongs; but a member of the Society of Civil Engineers does nothing whatever in his corporate capacity, except when ho takes part in its proceedings within the walls of the Institution. Lord Coleridge suggests that "any man who wants most effectively and successfully to practise the profession of a civil engineer, will join the Institution, and go through the course of teaching which it provides." Now, I have been unable to discover that the Institution provides anything which can be appropriately denominated a course of teaching. Its members must be men who have both learnt and effectively practised their profession before they join....