40 MOTIVE POWER OF HEAT. 



and by the powerful machines of all kinds, the use 

 of which the introduction of the steam-engine has 

 permitted or facilitated. 



Iron and heat are, as we know, the supporters, 

 the bases, of the mechanic arts. It is doubtful if 

 there be in England a single industrial establish- 

 ment of which the existence does not depend on 

 the use of these agents, and which does not freely 

 employ them. To take away to-day from England 

 her steam-engines would be to take away at the 

 same time her coal and iron. It would be to dry 

 up all her sources of wealth, to ruin all on which 

 her prosperity depends, in short, 'to annihilate that 

 colossal power. The destruction of her navy, 

 which she considers her strongest defence, would 

 perhaps be less fatal. 



The safe and rapid navigation by steamships 

 may be regarded as an entirely new art due to the 

 steam-engine. Already this art has permitted the 

 establishment of prompt and regular communica- 

 tions across the arms of the sea, and on the great 

 rivers of the old and new continents. It has made 

 it possible to traverse savage regions where before 

 we could scarcely penetrate. It has enabled us to 

 carry the fruits of civilization over portions of the 

 globe where they would else have been wanting for 

 years. Steam navigation brings nearer together 



