The Outlook 



have achieved this, for their following lends it- 

 self peculiarly to that end, which is perhaps not 

 the least of its advantages. 



On the whole, the outlook is favourable. I think 

 the bad times are past, and, for at least a genera- 

 tion, good times ahead. The shadow of Tariff 

 Reform looms in the unknown, but apart from 

 that there seems no reason why the glass should 

 not read " Set fair." 



Three dangers lie ahead. The aeroplane, the 

 Channel tunnel, and the advance of chemistry. 

 Airships may abolish latitude, and bring those 

 delicacies of the sunny South that we only rear 

 with difficulty. They may swoop down with 

 cargoes of peaches, apricots, and grapes all the 

 year round. " Oranges from Smyrna, pulled this 

 morning," may figure in the Strand; grapes, 

 strawberries, melons, and asparagus may be as 

 cheap at Christmas as they are now in the summer. 

 It is a matter of development, and the cost at 

 which freight can be borne through the air. 



The Channel tunnel looms threateningly, and 

 if the men of Kent were true descendants of those 

 who opposed Caesar they would die to a man ere 

 they allowed it. The cost, delay, and uncertainty 

 of sea transit keeps perishable articles away which 

 would then pour into London from France, but 

 this can be remedied by some patriotic farmer 



105 



