No. 200.] 213 



But while man has performed even more than wonders, much may 

 yet remain to be accomplished. New discoveries may be made, and 

 old ones may be improved upon ; and although all these productions 

 now before us may appear in the highest degree perfect, advancement, 

 aided by industry and research, may so far progress as to create sur- 

 prise at some distant day, as to how little we formerly knew of them. 



It is not unreasonable to conjecture, that the ordinary method of 

 transportation by horses, may be done away with altogether, and that 

 the slow-moving plough may eventually leave its furrow in the field, 

 by the " go ahead'' application of the steam engine. At present, how- 

 ever, we have no inclination to speculate. 



When Fulton successfully attained a speed to the steam-vessel of 

 some six miles the hour, or when Trevithink attained for the locomo- 

 tive about the same average, general opinion would naturally have he- 

 sitated at the lightning-like velocity which both have realized at the 

 present day. Ingenuity and enterprise, it would seem, have nearly 

 perfected the works of the immortal names of those who first planned, 

 projected, and built up these noble evidences of thought, for the pro- 

 motion of civilization, and the advancement of every stage of human 

 society ; but we repeat again that much may yet remain to be accom- 

 plished. 



Without disputing who did or who did not first ascertain the advan- 

 tages of steam navigation, whether we ascribe it to Fitch and Fulton 

 at home, or to strangers abroad, it is nevertheless certain that every 

 effort to propel vessels by steam anywhere than in the United States, 

 had most signally failed ; and it was not until Fulton turned waterman 

 and his experiments were triumphant, that steamboats came into ge- 

 neral use in Europe. 



To such a laborer in the vineyard of American enterprise we can- 

 not allude too favorably. In fact it is a general fault with the commu- 

 nity as well as with individuals, to lose sight of the main spring which 

 keeps the \vheels of industry in active motion, and to forget the cause 

 which first introduced them to vitality and usefulness. 



We have had our skilful mechanics, who have given evidence of 

 masterly ability, who have benefitted what was before unimproved, 

 and who have honored themselves and their countrymen by the force 

 of their enterprise ; but none of these should expect, nor can they re- 



