THE * STEAM-CtJLTIVATOfl.' 201 



engine no such very long time ago the whole ele- 

 ments of the question are altered. There exists now 

 a portable power not limited to horizontal action 

 like the horse, nor to vertical action like a man with 

 spade or hoe, a power which, if merely told what 

 to do, will go and do it, merely dropping a hint into 

 your ear that circular motion is its favourite. 



But the willing giant stands idly panting and smok- 

 ing : for nobody can agree to tell him what to do. 

 One says, ' Go and plough ! ' another says, ' Go and 

 dig? each mistaking the means for the end, and trying 

 to yoke this youngest born of human genius to the 

 peddling routine of manual or equine capacity ; out 

 of the very perversity of backsightedness that clings 

 to forms and modes which belonged to the implements, 

 not to the task, backsightedness that would with 

 equal reason puzzle its brains in looking for the pole 

 and splinter-bar of a locomotive, the pendulum of a 

 watch, or the paddle-boxes of a screw-steamer. 



But if it is not ploughing, and it is not digging, 

 what is it ? ' Go to the Mole, thou dullard ' (the old 

 proverb might be travestied), ' consider her ways and 

 be wise,' who without any coulter, share, or mould- 

 board without spade, hoe, or pickaxe leaves be- 

 hind her in her rapid track a finer mould than ever 



