192 Original Articles. [April, 



enterprisa rather than by philanthropic considerations, the baffled and 

 defeated electrician has once more allied himself with the wealthy and 

 enterprising trader ; and with replenished exchequer, they have set to 

 work anew to bind the Eastern with the Western hemisphere. Guided 

 by the practical experience of the past, and by the researches of 

 the closet-investigator, they set out upon each trial with fresh pre- 

 cautions and improved materials, and so not only is the end brought 

 nearer and nearer, but the collateral study and observation necessary 

 for its attainment add a fresh fund of information to our mental 

 treasury, and open out new fields for the practical application of the 

 science investigated. 



It will be a matter of deep interest to know whether the unfortu- 

 nate and much-abused ' Great Eastern,' that triumph of modern engi- 

 neering skill, will faithfully perform her task of depositing the cable 

 upon the construction of which so much care has been bestowed ; and 

 the enterprising men who are engaged upon this second effort to link 

 more closely the two great families of English people, may rest 

 assured that their anxiety for the result will be shared by all scientific 

 men and friends of progress. 



Whilst we speak of the combination of commercial with scientific 

 enterprise, we are once more reminded of our aged Premier's observa- 

 tions on the application of steam to tillage. If we remember rightly, 

 Lord Palmerston threw out the suggestion that, as not every farmer 

 can afford to purchase a steam-plough, capitalists should purchase 

 and let them out on hire. No doubt he is aware that such a practice 

 has long prevailed with regard to steam thrashing-machines, and that 

 there are many persons who derive a handsome income from this 

 source. But it has often been a matter of surprise to us, that during 

 the recent mania for limited joint-stock companies, when they sprang 

 up like mushrooms, some with avowed aims chimerical and laughable 

 enough to have been fit subjects for a farce, had they not too often 

 formed the basis of a very painful drama ; that during this extravagant 

 fever it should never have occurred to some honest speculator to esta- 

 blish a company for the purpose suggested by the Premier. Possibly 

 such a project may have been set on foot, and have escaped our notice ; 

 but in all probability it was far too legitimate an enterprise for " bulls " 

 and "bears." 



Another combination of scientific and commercial enterprise to 

 which the greatly abused Act might be applied with advantage is the 

 utilization of sewage. 



This subject has been much agitated of late, and its discussion 

 belongs rather to the agriculturist than to the student of natural or 

 physical science, but it may be satisfactory to the former to receive a 

 word of encouragement to counteract the obstructions which ignorance 

 and prejudice occasionally throw in his way. He certainly has the 

 approval of the naturalist, who sees in his efforts to turn refuse matter 

 to good account, a wise imitation of that Providence which knows no 

 waste but which with the results of decay rejuvenates nature and 

 clothes her in fresh beauty. But even these zealous operators are 

 liable to adverse criticisms, and it is right that they should observe 



