Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Engineering, Engineers, Railways, Heroism, Progress, Internationalism

    Describes the political implications of the completion of the Mont Cenis Tunnel under the Alps. Notes that the Alps presented a formidable barrier to military commanders and their armies, but that the 'bitter brattle, / Of Alp and Engineer' was finally won by the latter who laid a railway line through the tunnel. Concludes by discussing whether the 'iron tether' now laid between nations will bring 'Labour, Peace, and Progress' and tie 'Men's races, toils and minds'.