APPENDIX. 511 he must lose by the carelessness and ignorance of the workmen, it is evident to all, that notwithstanding his arbitrary regulations and monopolies, it is quite impossible it can ever answer his purpose to carry on such absurd speculations: I believe he is pretty well convinced of the fact; for he discovers that he is plundered on all sides, and in ways which are utterly beyond his control :—a great deal of his machinery is now lying covered with rust or dirt, and several of his factories are abandoned, and in ruins. I have already stated that Ibrahim Pascha disapproves of his father's policy, in many respects; and he has clearly demonstrated, that according to the present system, serious losses are sustained by the Egyptian Government, even by the exporting of raw cotton but Mohammed Ali will not be dictated to, and he adheres to his old prejudices with the most obstinate infatuation. He is still flattered and cajoled by men who find it their interest to humour his caprices, and turns a deaf ear to those who are honest enough to tell him the less acceptable truth. CURIOUS ANTICIPATION OF MODERN EVENTS. In the works of Roger Bacon, who wrote in the thirteenth century, may be found an anticipation of the invention of the steam-boat, locomotive engines on rail-roads, the diving bell, the suspension bridge, and it might almost be said, of the recent events at St. Jean d'Acre. His own words are these:- "Men may construct for the wants of navigation, such machines, that the greatest vessels, directed by a single man, shall cut through the rivers and seas with more rapidity than if they were propelled by rowers; chariots may be constructed, which, without horses, shall run with immeasurable speed. Men may conceive machines which could bear the diver, without danger, to the depth of the waters. Men could invent a multitude of other engines and useful instruments, such as bridges that shall span the broadest rivers without any intermediate support. Art hath its thunders also which are terrible to think of. A small quantity of matter produces a horrible explosion, accompanied by a bright light, and this may be repeated so as to destroy a city or entire battalions." |