7. Report to the Directors of the South Devon Railway Company, recommending them to adopt the Atmospheric System (August 19, 1844).....138 The question had been frequently considered by him (p. 138)--Stationary power is cheaper and otherwise better than locomotive power (p. 138)--The Atmospheric System is a good, economical mode of applying stationary power (p. 138)--Reasons for considering it applicable to the South Devon Railway (p. 139)--In the construction of the line (p. 140)--In the subsequent working (p. 141). 8, 9. Letters on giving Evidence before the Select Committee of the House of Commons on the Atmospheric System (March 31, 1845; April 3, 1845).....145 10. Report to the Directors of the South Devon Railway on the State of the Atmospheric Apparatus (August 27, 1847).....149 Regret at postponement of working (p. 149)--Which has been caused by delay in completion of the engines (p. 149)--Experimental trains have run (p. 149)--Difficulties have exceeded all just anticipations (p. 150). 11. Report to a Committee of the Directors of the South Devon Railway Company on the Causes of the Failure of the Atmospheric System (August 19, 1848).....159 The first difficulty has been in the stationary engines, which have consumed an excessive amount of fuel (p. 159)--The difficulties in the working of the longitudinal valve have been more numerous (p. 161)--The principal evil might be remedied in a new valve (p. 162)--An extension of the system beyond Newton cannot be recommended (p. 162)--The delay in obtaining the telegraph has been a great disappointment (p. 163). 12. Letter on the Design of Engineering Works (December 30, 1854).....178 13. Extract from Letter on the Use of Cast Iron in Bridge Construction (April 18, 1849).....190 14. Extract from Letter on the same Subject (March 13, 1848).....192 15, 16, 17. Extract from Letters on Bridges of Large Spans (January 31, 1852; December 1, 1852; May 30, 1854).....212 18. Extract from Report on the Cornwall Railway as to making the Saltash Bridge for a Single Line (February 5, 1852).....214 19. Report to the Directors of the Great Western Steam-Ship Company on the Selection of the Builders of the Engines for the ‘Great Western’ Steam-ship (June 18, 1836).....235 Every means must be taken to secure the best engines possible in this the boldest attempt yet made (p. 235)--The peculiar conditions required in these engines (p. 235)--They must, as far as is possible, be perfect in all their details from the moment of their completion (p. 235)--The machinery required is by no means an ordinary steam-engine (p. 236)--Modifications necessary in designing engines of so large a size (p. 236)--Reasons based on these considerations for preferring Messrs. Maudslay and Field as builders of these engines (p. 236). 20. Letter on the Engines for the ‘Great Britain’ Steam-ship (June 12, 1839).....249