70 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



The materials and tools of the inventor have been multiplied 

 indefinitely ] and yet those of the greatest importance cluster 

 round the coal pit and the iron furnace. The steam engine was 

 suggested at the mouth of the coal pit ; the coal suggested the 

 hot hlast and the blower ; in short, cheap iron and cheap fuel 

 jgire the two great powers of the world^s civilization. 



The play of these powers among the other resources of the 

 earth, employs the ingenious and the enterprising, while it is our 

 part to facilitate the movement by collecting and diffusing the 

 lights they strike out. 



