  The owner of a great tannery had once an improvement in making leather proposed to him by a foreman, but the merchant could not comprehend it even with the most earnest verbal explanation. As a last resort he said, “put it in writing so that I can study it out.” This was done and the change after an examination of the paper was made as advised. So in these volumes much important information is written and printed that it may be “studied out.” The author believes the following features of his work adapt it to the purpose for which it was designed: 1. It contains no more than can be mastered by the average engineer and those associated with him, such as millwrights, machinists, superintendents of motor power, electric stations, water works, etc. 2. It is thoroughly systematized. The order and development of subjects is thought to be logical, and the arrangement of topics especially adapted to the needs of those who aspire to do the best service in their every day responsibilities. 3. The work is written in accordance with modern theories and practice; no exertion has been spared in the attempt to make it fairly represent the latest state of the science of hydraulics and its adaptation to the needs of modern mechanical advancement, i.e., in the line of practical hydraulics. Note.—The preface is almost invariably made after the book itself is finished, for an author never knows with much exactness whither his researches will lead him. The book he begins is not always the book he finished; this is especially the case with books relating to modern sciences and industry. As an instance of this, it may be told that at the commencement of this work it was generally agreed that the easy “lift” of the centrifugal pump was some sixty or eighty feet, and not much more, but the appropriate section relating to centrifugal pumps has reached a lift of two thousand feet had been practically assured by recent discoveries. This important difference demanded a change in the writing although—as it happened—not in the printing. This, to explain why here, the author gives generous praise to others who have assisted in the long task of making these volumes. 4. It has been made by “men who know for men who care,” for the whole circle of the sciences consists of principles deduced from the discoveries of different individuals, in different ages, thrown into common stock; this is especially so of the science of hydraulics; thus it may be truthfully owned that the work contains the gathered wisdom of the ages, utilized wherever the author has found that it would increase the usefulness of the volumes. 5. It is a work of reference minutely indexed. We are warned by Prof. Karl Pearson that “education can only develope; it cannot create. If a man has not inherited ability to learn, education cannot make him learn,” but in a well indexed book, simply and plainly written, both classes referred to are equally benefited. There came the moment, once upon a time, when the author of this book, in his eager pursuit of knowledge, asked one question too much, to which he received the “gruff” answer: “Look ahere, I don’t propose to make a dictionary of myself.” This was a painful retort from a man already under large obligations to the questioner, but it had its reason in being spoken. There are things in the way of a man’s own craft that he most unwillingly imparts to anyone else. It is not thus with this work; nothing has been withheld that would make it plain and helpful to one in need of the special line of information aimed to be conveyed in its make-up. In making acknowledgment for favors received the author first remembers Mr. Alberto H. Caffee who arranged in behalf of the L. Middleditch Press for the issue of the work. Mr. Caffee’s name appears in the dedication, with that of the brave soldier and accomplished gentleman Maj. Abram B. Garner. The latter is one to whom “Jove has assigned a wise, extensive, all considerate mind.” The author is proud to call him friend and to acknowledge the benefit received in kindly advice relating to his productions. Mr. Harry Harrison’s skill is shown in the “lay out” or typographical arrangement of the work and Mr. Henry J. Harms has contributed his careful supervision to each page of the book as it has gone through the press. Lewis F. Lyne, Mechanical Engineer, has, amid his other responsible and active duties “passed upon” each page of the entire two volumes. Mr. Lyne, it may be said, was one of the founders of the American Society of M. E.; he was also the first mechanical engineer on the editorial staff of the American Machinist in its early days, and contributed as editor and stockholder to its success. In his youth Mr. Lyne was apprentice in the machine shop of the Penn. R. R. and received his papers for full and faithful service. Having been commodore of the Pavonia Yacht Club he has papers both as U. S. pilot and also as a marine engineer. He performed practical service both as locomotive fireman and was later superintendent of the Jersey City Electric Light Co. for a period of six and a half years. Moreover Mr. Lyne was assistant master mechanic of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western R. R. (M. & E. Div.) for seven years and had charge of establishing their new shops at Kingsland, N. J. Few men have had so long and honorable a record as Lewis Frederick Lyne. Credit is due also to Mr. Edward F. Stevens, assistant at the Yale University library, New Haven, Conn., for a careful reading of the two volumes for clerical errors, punctuation, etc. Mr. Stevens is a graduate of Colby University and a ripe scholar; moreover after leaving college he has had some twelve or more years experience in business and editing with a mechanical book publishing house widely known throughout England and the U. S.—a rare combination of useful experience. The final revision of the two volumes has been made by one of the brightest young engineers in New York City, now consulting engineer and attorney at Patent Law with offices in the Flat Iron Building, corner of Twenty-third St. and Fifth Avenue—Mr. Edward Van Winkle. He is associate member of the Am. Soc. M. E. and associate member of the Canadian Soc. of C. E. He was a Student in The Stevens Institute of Technology, and graduated from Columbia University in the City of New York with the degree E. E. These names should assure confidence in the contents of the work, which has been some years in preparation, and with nothing spared to make it trustworthy. “Kicking down” a well in the early days. A hole was dug in the rock and cased with a wooden tube eight or ten inches square. In this way the tools, suspended from a horizontal elastic hickory pole, which in turn was fastened to a stake, were worked over an upright piece as a fulcrum. The tools were worked up and down in the hole, as shown in the picture. |
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