XXXvi REPORT — 1876. 



of the past, the progress of mankind will be marlced by alternate periods 

 of activity and repose ; nor will it be the work of any one nation or of 

 any one race. To the erection of the edifice of civilized life, as it now 

 exists, all the higher races of the world have contributed ; and if the balance 

 were accurately struck, the claims of Asia for her portion of the work would 

 be immense, and those of Northern Africa not insignificant. Steam-power 

 has of late years produced greater changes than probably ever occurred be- 

 fore in so short a time. But the resources of Nature are not confined to 

 steam, nor to the combustion of coal. The steady water-wheel and the rapid 

 turbine are more perfect machines than the stationary steam-engine ; and 

 glacier-fed rivers with natural reservoirs, if fully turned to account, would 

 supply an unlimited and nearly constant source of power depending solely 

 for its continuance upon solar heat. But no immediate dislocation of indus- 

 try is to be feared, although the turbine is already at work on the Rhine and 

 the Ehone. In the struggle to maintain their high position in science and its 

 applications, the countrymen of Newton and Watt will have no ground for 

 alarm so long as they hold fast to their old traditions, and remember that 

 the greatest nations have fallen when they relaxed in those habits of intelli- 

 gent and steady industry upon which all permanent success depends. 



