The present progress is rapid.

Many of great importance, now unthought of, will, before that period, be produced." Thus the old philosopher felt the thrill of dawn and knew that the day of great mechanical inventions was at hand.

He had read the meaning of the puffing of the young steam engine of James Watt and he had heard of a marvelous series of British inventions for spinning and weaving.

He saw that his own countrymen were astir, trying to substitute the power of steam for the strength of muscles and the fitful wind.

John Fitch on the Delaware and James Rumsey on the Potomac were already moving vessels by steam.