Begin with the water in the gauge glass and ascertain its level and find out whether it correctly indicates the height of the water in the boiler by opening the lower cock in the usual manner. Satisfied that the boiler is safe, the engineer must assume the responsibility of looking after it, for should anything prove wrong afterward, he alone can be called to account. He should also observe what pressure of steam there is in the boiler, what is the condition of the fire, how much coal there is in the tender and its quality, and lastly that the water supply is all right. If the inspection is made properly all will go well; if in a half-hearted, slip-shod fashion trouble is sure to follow. INSPECTION OF AN ENGINE OVER A PIT. It is a good and a safe rule to examine an engine over a pit before starting out. When this is done properly and regularly, the habit is unmistakably the mark of a good engineer. That an engine may be properly examined over a pit, it is necessary that it should be placed in such a position that every part of it may be seen and inspected without having the machinery moved. The examination, to be complete, should be commenced at one specified point, and continued all around the engine, until the engineer returns to the place where he began. In general, the only tools needed are wrenches. The inspection should begin at the trailing engine axle, on the engineer's side, and the best rule is to examine everything, not forgetting the fact that more engines break down in consequence of bolts and split pins working out than from any other cause. After the engineer's side has been properly examined, the under side of the engine next claims attention. The engineer should begin at the crank shaft, taking his stand, where it is possible to do so, between the shaft and the fire box, while he is testing the bolts and rivets connected with it. BIG ENDS. Big Ends require to be fitted brass and brass, to work well, and to be well-cottered or bolted up, but with sufficient slackness on the crank bearing to allow of their being easily moved sideways by hand, so that a little room may be left for the expansion of the journal by heat. Big End brasses do best, wear longest, and knock least, when tightened up a little at a time and often, instead of being allowed to run until they thump alarmingly. With proper attention they seldom run hot. LITTLE ENDS. Little Ends need scarcely any supervision excepting what is required from the oiler, provided they are fitted with steel bushes. Those fitted with brasses require the same attention as Big Ends. ECCENTRICS. When the eccentrics are being examined particular attention should be paid to the bolts, nuts, safety-cotters and set-pins. The bolts which hold the two halves of each eccentric strap together should always nip tightly, as any slackness always affects the engine's speed.