  In Dr. Darwin's Botanic Garden, first published in 1789, but written, it is well known, at least twenty years before the date of its publication, occurs the following prediction respecting Steam:— "Soon shall thy arm, unconquer'd Steam, afar Drag the slow barge, or drive the rapid car; Or, on wide-waving wings expanded bear The flying chariot through the fields of air, Fair crews triumphant leaning from above, Shall wave their fluttering 'kerchiefs as they move; Or warrior bands alarm the gaping crowd, And armies shrink beneath the shadowy cloud: So mighty Hercules o'er many a clime Waved his huge mace in virtue's cause sublime; Unmeasured strength with early art combined, Awed, served, protected, and amazed mankind." A distinguished photographer imagines that he has traced the foreshadowing of his delightful science in the following passage from our great epic poet: "With one touch virtuous Th' arch-chemic sun, so far from us remote, Produces." Paradise Lost, b. iii. v. 608.
|
|
