attracted the especial notice of Mr. David Lock, who, in describing a visit to Dunbar, makes particular mention of him as one likely to prove an honour to his country.[29] On leaving Mr. Gibson, Rennie returned to Mr. Meikle, continuing more or less with that ingenious man for the next two or three years.[30] His first essay in practical mechanics was the repairing of a corn mill in his native village, and he erected two or three others before he had reached the age of eighteen. While occupied in these works Rennie took care at the same time to attend to his other studies, managing occasionally to visit Edinburgh, where he entered himself as a student at the University, and attended the lectures of Professors Robison and Black. With the former gentleman he gradually formed an intimate acquaintance, and was by him introduced to Messrs. Boulton and Watt, of Soho, with whom he remained during the space of twelve months; it being their wish to have engaged his services for a longer period, but Rennie, conscious of his own powers, determined to make the capital the theatre of his future efforts. His first practical essay at millwright work in England was the rolling mills at Soho, which were entirely remodelled and rebuilt under his direction. In 1784 he established himself in London, and commenced work by the erection of the Albion Mills near Blackfriars Bridge, Boulton and Watt, who had the direction of the steam-engines, having, in accordance with the advice of Professors Robison and Black, entrusted to him the execution of the millwork. Mr. Watt, in his notes to Professor Robison's account of the steam-engine, says that "in the construction of the millwork and machinery, they derived most valuable assistance from that able mechanician and engineer, Mr. John Rennie, then just entering into business, who assisted in placing them, and under whose direction they were executed." He also adds that the machinery, which used to be made of wood, was here made of cast iron, and considers that this was the commencement of that system of millwork which has proved so beneficial to this country. After executing this undertaking, Rennie was employed on the flour mills at Wandsworth, and the rolling and triturating mills at the Mint. His mills, and particularly his water wheels, were regarded as models of perfection, while in all hydraulic works he was the worthy successor of Smeaton. From this time until his comparatively early death in 1821, Rennie was constantly employed on various large and splendid undertakings, among which his bridges occupy an important place. Of these structures the finest is the Waterloo Bridge over the Thames, begun in 1809 and finished in 1817. It is built of Aberdeen granite, and consists of nine equal semi-elliptical arches of 20 feet span, with a level roadway 45 feet wide from outside to outside of parapet, which adds greatly to its beauty. This bridge was opened to the public by the Prince Regent, who offered at the time to