Indeed, it is the very thing which serves as a
deterrent, rather than an incentive. If machines
can be handled in such a remarkable manner, they
must be, indeed, perfect! Nothing more is
needed! They must represent the highest structural
type of mechanism!
That is the idea sought to be conveyed in the
first paragraph quoted. It is pernicious, instead
of praiseworthy, because it gives a false impression,
and it is remarkable that even certain scientific
journals have gravely discussed the perfected
(?) type of flying machine as demonstrated
by the experiments alluded to.
THE ART OF JUGGLING.--We may, occasionally,
see a cyclist who understands the art of balancing
so well that he can, with ease, ride a machine
which has only a single wheel; or he can, with a
stock bicycle, ride it in every conceivable attitude,
and make it perform all sorts of feats.
It merely shows that man has become an
expert at juggling with a machine, the same as he
manipulates balls, and wheels, and other artifices,
by his dexterity.
PRACTICAL USES THE BEST TEST.--The bicycle
did not require such displays to bring it to perfection.
It has been the history of every invention
that improvements were brought about, not
by abnormal experiments, but by practical uses
and by normal developments.
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