END OF THE COACHING AGE 289 



'' GiWYY-Y-Y-iuupliX bang, g-r-rrr ! " of a Daimlor, 

 changing sjococls in going npliill, nor any charm 

 in the rattle of a Benz ; the "ft-ft-ft " of a motor- 

 tricycle, or the banshee-like minor-key wail, 

 " Avow-AvoAv-wow," of an electric cab on wood 

 paA'ement. Hoav very odd if there were ! 



Does it ncA' er occur to thinking men that the 

 "l)lessiniys" of invention and the as^e of mechanical 

 and other improvements have been too loudly and 

 consistently praised ? We need not be thought 

 fanatically opposed to change if Ave deny the 

 reality of some of those l)lessings. Let it be 

 granted that they are ultimately in favour of the 

 community and for the eventual improvement of 

 the race ; but if you vicAV him unconventionally, 

 does not the inventor, Avith his ingenious devices 

 to overturn the practice and habits of generations 

 j)ast, seem sometimes rather a curse than a 

 benefactor to mankind ? While Avitli one hand he 

 simplifies and cheapens something (Avhether it be 

 in travel or in anything else does not particularly 

 matter for argument's sake), Avith the other he 

 sets a more strenuous pace to life. In the long 

 ago he invented printing; and the Devil, seeing 

 proi:>lietically ahead, looked on Avith approval, 

 because he foresaw the halfpenny evening papers. 

 He introduced gas, replaced horses by steam- 

 engines, and away went the leisured pace of that 

 generation ; and then, when a ncAver one Avas born 

 to take steam as a matter of course, brought 

 electricity to bear upon lighting and tractive pro- 

 blems. Ahvays he sets you a quicker pace Avhen 

 VOL. II. 10 



