[Frontispiece: SMEATON'S LIGHTHOUSE ON THE EDDYSTONE ROCK.] THE STORY OF JOHN SMEATON AND THE EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE. "And as the evening darkens, lo! how bright. Through the deep purple of the twilight air, Beams forth the sudden radiance of its light With strange, unearthly splendour in its glare! "And the great ships sail outward and return, Bending and bowing o'er the billowy swells; And ever joyful, as they see it burn, They wave their silent welcomes and farewells. LONGFELLOW. London T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW. EDINBURGH; AND NEW YORK. 1900 Contents. I. Ancient and Modern Lighthouses II. The Eddystone Lighthouse III. How John Smeaton Rose in Life IV. Smeaton in Private Life--His Last Years and Character The following pages are founded on Mr. Smiles' "Lives of the Engineers," vol. ii.; "Smeaton and Lighthouses" (edition 1844); "Les Phares;" "Lighthouses and Lightships," by W. H. Davenport Adams; and Smeaton's own account of the "Eddystone Lighthouse." Some minor authorities have also been consulted. THE STORY OF JOHN SMEATON. CHAPTER I. ANCIENT AND MODERN LIGHTHOUSES. As soon as man began to go down to the deep in ships, and to extend his enterprise from sea to sea, so soon must he have recognized the necessity of lighthouses; or, at least, of some system of signals by which he might guide his course at night when approaching a perilous coast, or seeking to enter the wished-for harbour. His first attempt in this direction was probably nothing more than the kindling of a huge fire on some elevated promontory or headland, or on the summit of some lofty hill, whence its warning glare could be seen for miles around. But as, on windy nights, much difficulty would be experienced in keeping up the blown and scattered flames, no doubt he would soon conceive the idea of providing a sufficient shelter. [Sidenote: Lighthouses of antiquity.]