Abstract :
Engineering may broadly be divided into two classes, civil and military. Military engineering is that which pertains to the conduct of war and is sufficiently understood to require no description. Civil engineering, as I am now using the term, comprehends all forms of engineering which are conducted without special reference to the operations of war. Falling within this definition of civil engineering we have electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, telegraph engineering, telephone engineering, and some others. As taught in colleges, however, and as generally understood, civil engineering is restricted and deals more especially with that branch of the art which pertains to the construction of bridges, water works, railroads, harbor improvements, and other public works of like character.