THE FUTURE OF ELECTRICITY. 385 



of the human race, and its shining genius is immortalized in every step forward 

 that man has taken. 



Geology doubtless has been one of the greatest aids to our race in making its 

 marvelous progress, and of it we desire to speak more particularly. Minerals 

 furnish the basis of nearly all the useful arts and manufactures, and had it not 

 been for geology we never would have had any. It made the discovery that 

 mother earth possessed within herself all the minerals of which we know anything — 

 gold, silver, coal, zinc, lead, iron, baryta, ochre, peat, etc., and without all these, 

 or most of them, what would our boasted progress in civihzation and the arts 

 be worth? Indeed, it. is highly probable that had they remained forever hidden 

 we would never have acquired the cheerful habit of boasting. Many a fortune 

 has been sunk in searching and experimenting for coal, gold, lead, zinc, iron or 

 other ores, in places where the Pyramids might be looked for with the same 

 chance of success in finding them. Bitter experience has taught many prospect- 

 ors and miners how indispensable to their success is a knowledge of geology. 

 Late geological studies of the Hoosac Mountain have proved that millions of dol- 

 lars might have been saved to the State of Massachusetts if like studies had been 

 made before the excavation of the great Hoosac tunnel. It is asserted that 

 enough funds were needlessly expended to pay for a complete topographical, 

 zoological, geological and botanical survey of the whole commonwealth, such as 

 no State in the Union now possesses, and such as would for ever put away the 

 danger of similar loss in the future. Geology must determine the cost of produc- 

 tion of the precious metals, such as gold and silver, and their probable abundance 

 for centuries to come. 



The practical value of science in its various departments is too manifestly 

 great to be ignored by any one interested even in a small way in the grand pro- 

 cession of progress. Americans in particular cannot devote too much attention 

 to the study of it in its various branches, as their national preeminence is due to 

 their intimate and practical knowledge of all really scientific subjects, and it be- 

 hooves them especially to continue to be the friends and patrons of science. — 

 The Manufacturer and Builder. 



THE FUTURE OF ELECTRICITY. 



The remark is common enough in the mouths of the common people as well 

 as of the scientists that the future developments of electricity, as an applied art, 

 have been as yet only dimly foreshadowed. It is the modern miracle-worker and 

 after the telegraph, the telephone and the phonograph. The world is very ready 

 to receive with credence any statement of the wonderful things yet to come. 

 The fairs which Boston is to have this Fall will give us a clear idea of the progress 

 of the last few years, and this department will not be equaled in the amount of 

 interest shown in it by any other in the exliibitions. Meanwhile, in the French 

 capital preparations are going forward for an exhibition to be held the coming 



