Many books have been written upon Railways and Railway work, both from a non- and semi-professional point of view, which no doubt supply some particular want, but the author trusts that the present work may prove acceptable in a wider sense, not only to those who are engaged in re-sponsible management and designing, but also to the thousands occupied in the workshops and on the footplate.

The work has been divided into sections, this proving the most satisfactory way, and where necessary, subdivided into parts, viz. Boiler Shop Practice; Foundry (Iron, Steel and Brass); Forge (Smithy, including Springs); Coppersmiths' work; Machine Shop; Erecting, etc. Design has not been touched upon, as it does not come within the scope of the author's plan. Each section describes, step by step, more minutely, and by such drawings and illustrations as have not appeared before in one volume, the actual progress of the work done in that section. There is one exception. The use of Steel Castings. To have described their manufacture would have entailed a lengthy dissertation upon the making of steel generally, with particular reference to the overcoming of such difficulties as oxidation, the formation of blow-holes, annealing, and the preparation of moulds; therefore, it was considered more useful to the general consumer, to devote a portion of a section to their use in conjunction with their chemical and physical properties, with a view to reduce to uniformity the various opinions held by individual consumers, and thus to formulate a standard specification.

Finally, it is my pleasing duty to express thanks to those who have, by word and deed, assisted me in gaining, or supplying information, and especially so to the Editor of 'The Engineer,' at whose suggestion this work was undertaken, the major portion of which has appeared in the pages of that journal.

Geo. Hughes.

Horwich, Lancashire:: April 1894.