Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-09-11
Progress Of Steam.


ments Of the age, the progress OF steam
or rather the application OF this motive
power to useful purposes, stands de-
servedly prominent. But few years
have gone by, comparatively speaking,
since the first steamboat made its APP
pearance upon our waters. The ex-
pertinent was then considered as wild,
and by many as impracticable. Its
success was, however, soon tested, and
in the most triumphant manner, and
then river and bay steamers multiplied
with rapidity truly astonishing. But
vet another movement was talked of
the p:acticability of navigating the
ocean by steam. The suggestion at
first startled. Such a scheme was re-
garded as too bold and daring for The
genius and enterprise of man. Even
some of those who believed themselves
perfectly conversant with the powers
of the steam engine, uttered doubts
and forebodings, and gave various
scientific reasons against the feasibility
OF the undertaking. But the thought
was too captivating to be dismissed in
a moment The union of the old
world and the new, by means of steam.
was looked to as consummation de-
voutIy to be wished. The matter was
still further agitated, and at last few
capitalists determined TO make the ven-
ture The results are before the world.
Ocean steam navigation is now regard
ed as ar ordinary affair, and Boston and
Liverpool are now within less than
fortnig ht of each other by means Of
steam, The Cunard line has been in
successful operation for years, and
within a short time, two other lines
/ have been started-a French line and
an American line. The great Difficult
ty at present is, the high price of the
fare; but this will cure itself, or
ratherit will be cured by competition;
and we look forward to period, not
remote, when an American may visit
England, or an Englishman America,
and remain two or three weeks in the
country visited, and rcturn-at an ex-
pense Of about 500. Cheap fares are
the order of the day-and why not
adopt them as well on the ocean as on
the Hudson, the Ohio, or the Misss-
sippi? And when this condition Of
affairs arrives--when we may visit
Europe and return again for such
triile-when we may gaze on the
wonders of London and Paris. for less
than it costs to visit some ofthe remote
regions of our own country - the
amount Of trade will be immense
Thousands will cross the ocean where
there are now only hundreds. We
shall become better acquainted with
the people, the habits, the manners and
institutions of the old world, and
many of the prcjudices on both sides
will be rubbed away. John Bull and
Brother Jonathan will forget and for
give all their old points of difference,
and the two nations, already united by
blood and language, will knit still
more frmIy-by business and associa-
ton, frequent visits. and, if we may
use the phrase, proximity. Steam has
already accomplished much. but the
day Of its power only commencing -
The history of Atlantic steam naviga-
ton is but in its infancy. 1t is probable
that, at this moment. not less than a
million of minds and hearts in the
European world are looking forward
for homes and resting places, for them
selves and their children, in the green
and fertile valleys Of Western Ameri-
ca. Follow out this thought in its re-
suits, in connection with the aid al
ready afforded, and likely to be afford
ed by steam. in the way of crossing the
ocean. and passing onward to the val
lies of the West. and mighty changes
will rise, like giant shapes, in the dim
vista of the future.
Putting the saddle on the right
horSe.-The following anecdote from
the New York Mercury contains a
moral:-
An irishman, going down Barclay
street in hot haste. in order 10 get on
board the boat, which he saw at dis
lance was at the wharf, arrived there