264 MATERIAL PROGRESS 



chipped flint. Fire, transported from the hearth 

 to the furnace, brought the metals into his service. 

 Copper, tin and zinc were blended into bronze and 

 brass : iron was not more refractory, but in Asia 

 and Europe was a later discovery. Carbonized iron 

 (steel) of good quality could be produced by simple 

 appliances if used with skill. To steel-edged tools 

 most materials are submissive : the blacksmith 

 could work in iron, the carpenter in wood, the 

 mason in stone, and could elaborate ornamental 

 embellishments which in some countries were 

 brought to a high pitch of artistic excellence. 

 But the motive power was man's own strength : 

 manufacture was by handicraft. Only a century 

 and a half has passed since the discovery was 

 made that by the burning of coal energy could 

 be evolved which could employ tools with 

 infinitely more efficiency than was attainable by 

 human muscle, so that man, having once harnessed 

 this power to his machinery, could stand aside 

 and watch the achievements of the jinn he had 

 enslaved. 



Dress originated in an idea not of decency or 

 of warmth, but of ornament. It has accordingly 

 been the practice of almost all races of men par- 

 tially to undress themselves as a sign of respect. 

 Orientals uncover the feet ; Europeans the head. 

 It is related of the Sultan of Melli that he would 

 permit no women to enter his presence until they 

 had discarded all their clothing ; and ladies may 

 not be presented at the royal courts of Europe 

 unless they are clad in decollete fashion. Amongst 

 uncultured peoples beads are often more prized 

 than clothing, and their women are loaded with 

 necklaces when scarcely provided with a nether 

 garment. Civilized nations, under the prompt- 

 ings of reason, have discovered the protective 

 value of clothes : they have also strayed into 



