The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-03-15

rs TO form some snght conception OF
the true philosophy of progress and to
realize that, after all, it is only rela-
tive. Yet the nineteenth century can
be considered only as mere initiator,
an experimenter, feverish seeker, a
sower of ideas and of projects which
the twentieth century, more tive,
more scientific, better bala, and
less sentimental and idea must
realize.
Three methods of traction dominate
the present. Each is comfortable,
speedy and economic. They are steam,
electricity and cyclism, the latter rep
resenting automatic motion in a still
undeveloped stage. All Indicate the
greatest triumph of man over mere
brute force, as represented by the
horse, and offer advantages so real and
SO appreciable as to give indubitable
evidence that in the immediate future
our coursers will be reduced from the
sank of necessaSiss TO that of luxuries.
Then, the horse relegated to the same
leisure enjoyed by the bovine species,
there would no longer be heard along
che highways the rythm of trots and
gallops, no joyous neighings, no ster-
Serious breathings of nags oppressed
with burdens. In their place would re-
3ound the heavy roll OF wheels, the
whirr of machinery, the scream Of
warning whistles. Everywhere steam
or electric carriages, everywhere coal
ing or petroleum stations, everywhere
water tanks for the boilers, restaur-
ants for travellers, blacksmith shops
for repairs in the machinery, villages
transformed into miniature towns and
'.hayseeds" into sophisticated town.
folk, the entire landscape invaded by
automatic cars and aerial voyagers, fly
ing like birds through the air.
Such vehicles will not be without
character, and will lend individuality
to the scene. Specially remarkable
will be the large family car" or ex-
cursion carriage, fitted with all con-
Feniences. One feature will be the
cooking of meals en- route, for the
Boiler, utilized as sort of homely
kitchen, will facilitate the concoction
Of succulent stews, of hot pastry and
Of smoking coffee. The country doctor
will adopt convenient "Petroleuse"
run, as it's name indicates, by petrol
cum and furnished with small drawers
for medicines, where the heat will
keep at wholesome temperature his
sudorific doses, his anti-septic potions,
his prophylactic vaporizers and in
jectors.
Travelling statesmen will speed along
in 'Drum cars" very giddy in color,
and open at the sides so as to exhibit
show cases full of tempting bats for
village coquetry or country dudedom,
with others will have bargain cars"
replete with strange bits of bric-a-brac
in the shape of bottles, pots, cans or
bales, according to the particular line
they represent.
The streets of all the great cities
New York. Chicago, San Francisco,
Paris or London-will be far, indeed,
from the comparative calm and quiet
of the present. Merely human voices
of discredited coachmen and car driv-
ers will be drowned in the prodigious
and never ceasing tumult of the whis-
ties, the bells, the gongs and other
alarms from all sorts of vehicles; the
shrieks of escaping steam at each acct
dent or collision, the thunderous roll
OF wheels, the interminable clicking of
machinery. The spectacle will be
picturesque, though dangerous to the
pedestrian.
No horse will appear, save in certain
little riding roads in the suburban
parts. Magnificent bicycles, run by
the aid of electricity and developing
high rate Of speed by the merest touch
of the most emasculated foot, will be
the fashionable thing in places like