in
their proper places; the spanners ought to be fast on the lifting and
weigh-bars, and the studs on the spanners of the weigh-bars should be
particularly noticed, as, if loose, they may be shaken off on the road
and cause the stoppage of the Engine. A similar examination must be
extended to the hand-gear, if there be any; and the bolts which fasten
the plummer-blocks of the weigh-bars, &c., must be screwed up if they are
loose.

The straps of the eccentrics should work with sufficient freedom, and the
eccentrics must be firm in their right position on the axle, or the
Engine will beat unevenly: if any escape of steam has been observed in
the stuffing-boxes of the piston-rod and slide-valve spindle, or of water
from the joints of the feed-pumps and suction-pipes, they must be screwed
up; and any dirt that may have collected near any of the bearings or
connections must be carefully wiped off with cotton waste.

The inspection beneath the Engine being complete, the Engine-man should
examine the ends of the tubes of the boiler, and if there should be
leakage to any serious extent, it would be prudent to drive in a plug at
each end of the defective tube. A small quantity of Russian tallow
should occasionally be introduced into the steam-chests and cylinders, to
grease the slides and pistons. This is done, either by cocks on the
outside of the smoke-box or in the cylinder covers, or through holes
secured by plugs, in the steam-chest covers. The ashes should be emptied
out of the smoke-box, and the small ash-door carefully secured.

Occasionally the gauge should be applied to the wheels, and the Engine
should never be allowed to run when they are found to be at all incorrect
or out of the square.

If there are oil-vessels at the side of the Engine with pipes to the
pistons, bearings, &c., the Engine-man must see that they are filled, and
the cotton wicks in the top of the pipes, and hanging over into the oil;
that the grease-boxes of the axle-bearings are filled; and the pins,
links, &c., of the springs right and sound. The draw-bar connecting the
Engine and Tender must be secure, and the safety-chains attached.

The Tender must be replenished with coke and water. An Engine-man should
never run with an Engine without knowing what stock of both the Tender
will carry. It is impossible to lay down any general rule for the
quantity of water evaporated and the coke consumed per mile with the same
Engine, as the amoun