Fraley.] ' J - u ircb 15, 



The struggles for freedom have indeed pervaded 

 the whole continent of Europe with more or less effect 

 in securing popular rights and modifying ancient insti- 

 tutions. 



War has had a great hand in accomplishing all this, 

 and the needs of war have stimulated human industry 

 and ingenuity. 



Nearly the whole of the continent of South America 

 has been freed from monarchical rule, and the whole 

 of the two Americas now seem destined to be republics 

 on our model. 



The art of war has been wonderfully improved, and 

 as its instruments have become more powerful and 

 complete its carnage and misery have been increased. 

 But even in it we find compensations by a better 

 recognition of the political rights of States, and 

 also by a better regard for the laws of humanity and 

 private rights. 



If the political interests of mankind have been im- 

 proved by these great changes, how infinite have been 

 the advantages derived from the mechanical inventions 

 of the last hundred years. 



The steam engine, the great motor for nearly all 

 of these as they now exist, has emerged, as it were, 

 from an embryo, to almost a living being, weaving the 

 gossamer threads of animal and vegetable life, with the 

 same ease that it moves the mighty masses of ocean 

 steamers, or wheels the countless trains of cars over 

 the iron pathways of every continent. 



Machinery for almost every mechanical art has be- 

 come nearly automatic, and whether it moves the 

 minutest drill, the loom, the printing press or the won- 

 derful ponderous or delicate hammer, it is everywhere 



