_By one of "the Islington, Gray's Inn Lane, and New Road Grand
Literary, Scientific, and Philosophical Institution._
How wondrous is the science of mechanism! how variegated its progeny,
how simple, yet how compound! I am propelled to the consideration of
this subject by having optically perceived that ingenious nautical
instrument, which has just now flown along like a mammoth, that monster
of the deep! You ask me how are steam-boats propagated? in other words,
how is such an infinite and immovable body inveigled along its course? I
will explain it to you. It is by the power of friction; that is to say,
the two wheels, or paddles turning diametrically, or at the same moment,
on their axioms, and repressing by the rotundity of their motion the
action of the menstruum in which the machine floats,--water being, in
a philosophical sense, a powerful non-conductor,--it is clear, that in
proportion as is the revulsion so is the progression; and as is the
centrifugal force, so is the--."
"Pooh!" cried Uncle John, "let us have some music."
_New Monthly Magazine._
* * * * *