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Excerpt from The Steam-Engine and Other Steam-Motors, Vol. 1 of 2: A Text-Book for Engineering Colleges and a Treatise for Engineers; The Thermodynamics and the Mechanics of the Engine The objects of this book are, to set forth clearly the fundamental principles of the steam-engine, to give a broad description t of constructive practice, to explain fully the working of the machine in its several departments, and to show how to find its efficiency in performance. Manner of presentation and order in development of the subject have been strongly influenced by the fact that it is intended to be a text-book for the use of students: but with this has gone the purpose of making it a complete engineering treatise, in which the theory of the steam.machine shall be put into a shape convenient of practical application, and which, on the descriptive side, shall lay a solid foundation for the more special and detailed information which must be gained from experience and from the technical press. As to the manner of presentation, it is assumed that the reader knows at least a few general facts about the engine, and has had a good preparation in mathematics, physics, and mechanics; but all physical and mechanical deductions arc built up, in concise form, from basal principles, in order that the book may be, on this side, as nearly self-contained as possible. The more elementary subjects carry full explanations, many examples being given to impress and elucidate principles; but the advanced discussions are more concisely stated. Graphical methods are very generally used, as easier and clearer than algebraic. The first volume is devoted to the Thermodynamics and the Mechanics of the engine, a sufficient foundation of practical knowledge being laid in the introductory chapter, which formulates general ideas and describes, in simple terms, the working of the engine. The fuller exposition of form and construction, at the beginning of volume two, is made to follow t