FLYING AND FLYING-MACHINES. 343 



spread of canvas. The rise of the machine was most 

 majestic, and nothing could surpass the steadiness 

 witli which it was manoeuvred, the certainty with 

 which it answered the action of the braces, and the 

 ease with which its power was lessened or increased. . . 

 Subsequently to this, an experiment of a very bold 

 and novel character was made upon an extensive down, 

 where a waggon with a considerable load was drawn 

 along, whilst this huge machine at the same time 

 carried an observer aloft in the air, realising almost 

 the romance of flying.' 



We have here abundant evidence of the supporting 

 and elevating power of the air. This power, is however, 

 in a sense, dormant. It requires to be called into 

 action by suitable contrivances. In the kite, advantage 

 is taken of the motion of the air. In flight, advantage 

 must be taken of motion athwart the air, this motion 

 being, in the first place, communicated while the 

 aeronaut or flying-machine is on the ground. Given 

 a sufficient extent of supporting surface, and an ade- 

 quate velocity, any body, however heavy, may be made 

 to rise from the ground ; and there can be no question 

 that mechanicians can devise the means of obtaining 

 at least a sufficient velocity of motion to raise either a 

 man or a flying-machine, provided with no greater 

 extent of supporting surface than would be manage- 

 able in either case. It is not the difficulty of obtaining 

 from the air at starting the requisite supporting power 

 that need deter the aeronaut. The real difficulties 

 are those which follow. The velocity of motion must 



