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of which no nation need be ashamed； and； though occasionally
marred by hard times； there was general prosperity。
〃Gradually the different States of Canadaor provinces； as they
were then calledcame to realize that their future would be far
grander and more glorious in union with the United States than
separated from it； and also that their sympathy was far stronger
for their nearest neighbours than for any one else。 One by one
these Northern States made known their desire for consolidation
with the Union； retaining complete control of their local
affairs； as have the older States。 They were gladly welcomed by
our Government and people； and possible rivals became the best of
friends。 Preceding and also following this； the States of
Mexico； Central America； and parts of South America； tiring of
the incessant revolutions and difficulties among themselves；
which had pretty constantly looked upon us as a big brother on
account of our maintenance of the Monroe doctrine； began to
agitate for annexation； knowing they would retain control of
their local affairs。 In this they were vigorously supported by
the American residents and property…holders； who knew that their
possessions would double in value the day the United States
Constitution was signed。
〃Thus； in the first place； by the encouragement of our people；
and latterly； apparently； by its own volition； the Union has
increased enormously in power； till it now embraces 10；000；000
square miles； and has a free and enlightened population of
300；000；000。 Though the Union established by Washington and his
contemporaries has attained such tremendous proportions； its
growth is by no means finished； and as a result of modern
improvements； it is less of a journey now to go from Alaska to
the Orinoco than it was for the Father of his Country to travel
from New York or Philadelphia to the site of the city named in
his honour。
〃Adequate and really rapid transportation facilities have done
much to bind the different parts of the country together； and to
rub off the edges of local prejudice。 Though we always favour
peace； no nation would think of opposing the expressed wishes of
the United States； and our moral power for good is tremendous。
The name Japhet means enlargement； and the prophecy seems about
to be literally fulfilled by these his descendants。 The bankrupt
suffering of so many European Continental powers had also other
results。 It enabled the socialistswho have never been able to
see beyond themselvesto force their governments into selling
their colonies in the Eastern hemisphere to England； and their
islands in the Western to us； in order to realize upon them。
With the addition of Canada to the United States and its loss to
the British Empire； the land possessions of the two powers became
about equal； our Union being a trifle the larger。 All danger of
war being removed by the Canadian change； a healthful and
friendly competition took its place； the nations competing in
their growth on different hemispheres。 England easily added
large areas in Asia and Africa； while the United States grew as
we have seen。 The race is still； in a sense； neck…and…neck； and
the English…speakers together possess nearly half the globe。 The
world's recent rate of progress would have been impossible
without this approximation to a universal language。 The causes
that checkmated the Continental powers have ceased to exist。
Many millions of men whose principal thought had been to destroy
other members of the race became producers； but it was then too
late； for the heavy armaments had done their work。
〃Let us now glance at the times as they are； and see how the
business of life is transacted。 Manhattan Island has something
over 2；500；000 inhabitants； and is surrounded by a belt of
population； several miles wide； of 12；000；000 more； of which it
is the focus； so that the entire city contains more than
14；500；000 souls。 The several hundred square miles of land and
water forming greater New York are perfectly united by numerous
bridges； tunnels； and electric ferries； while the city's great
natural advantages have been enhanced and beautified by every
ingenious device。 No main avenue in the newer sections is less
than two hundred feet wide； containing shade and fruit trees； a
bridle…path； broad sidewalks； and open spaces for carriages and
bicycles。 Several fine diagonal streets and breathing…squares
have also been provided in the older sections； and the existing
parks have been supplemented by intermediate ones； all being
connected by parkways to form continuous chains。
〃The hollow masts of our shipsto glance at another phase en
passantcarry windmills instead of sails； through which the wind
performs the work； of storing a great part of the energy required
to run them at sea； while they are discharging or loading cargo
in port； and it can； of course； work to better advantage while
they are stationary than when they are running before it。 These
turbines are made entirely of light metal； and fold when not in
use； so that only the frames are visible。 Sometimes these also
fold and are housed； or wholly disappear within the mast。
Steam…boilers are also placed at the foci of huge concave
mirrors； often a hundred feet in diameter； the required heat
being supplied by the sun； without smoke； instead of by bulky and
dirty coal。 This discovery gave commercial value to Sahara and
other tropical deserts； which are now desirable for mill…sites
and for generating power； on account of the directness with which
they receive the sun's rays and their freedom from clouds。 Mile
after mile Africa has been won for the uses of civilization； till
great stretches that were considered impassible are as productive
as gardens。 Our condensers； which compress； cool； and rarefy
air； enabling travellers to obtain water and even ice from the
atmosphere； are great aids in desert exploration； removing
absolutely the principal distress of the ancient caravan。 The
erstwhile 'Dark Continent' has a larger white population now than
North America had a hundred years ago； and has this advantage for
the future； that it contains 11；600；000 square miles； while North
America has less than 9；000；000。 Every part of the globe will
soon sustain about as large and prosperous a population as the
amount of energy it receives from the sun and other sources will
warrant； public debts and the efficiency of the governments being
the variable elements。
〃The rabbits in Australia； and the far more objectionable
poisonous snakes in South America and India； have been
exterminated by the capture of a few dozen of the creatures in
the infested districts； their inoculation with the virus similar
to the murus tiphi； tuberculosis or any other contagious…germ
complaint to which the species treated was particularly
susceptible； and the release of these individuals when the
disease was seen to be taking hold。 The rabbits and serpents
released at once returned to their old haunts； carrying the
plague far and wide。 The unfortunate rabbits were greatly
commiserated even by the medicos that wielded the death…dealing
syringe； but； fortunately for themselves； they died easily。 The
reptiles； perhaps on account of the wider distribution of the
nerve centres； had more lingering but not painful deaths； often；
while in articulo mortis； leaving the holes with which they
seemed to connect their discomfort； and making a final struggle
along the ground； only to die more quickly as a result of their
exertions。 We have applied this also to the potato…bug； locust；
and other insect pests； no victim being too small for the
ubiquitous； subtle germ； which； properly cultivated and utilized；
has become one of man's best friends。
〃We have microbe tests that show us as unmistakably whether the
germs of any particular diseaselike malaria； typhoid； or
scarlet feverare present in the air； as litmus…paper shows
alkalinity of a solution。 We also inoculate as a preventive
against these and almost all other germ diseases； with the same
success that we vaccinate for smallpox。
〃The medicinal properties of all articles of food are so well
understood also； that most cures are brought about simply by
dieting。 This； reminds me of the mistakes perpetrated on a
friend of mine who called in Dr。 Grave…Powders； one of the
old…school physicians； to be treated for insomnia and dyspepsia。
This old numskull restricted his diet； gave him huge doses of
medicine； and decided most learnedly that he was daily growing
worse。 Concluding that he had but a short time to live； my
friend threw away the nauseating medicines； ate whatever he had a
natural desire for； and was soon as well as everthe obvious
moral of which is； that we can get whatever treatment we need
most beneficially from our food。 Our physicians are most serious
and thoughtful men。 They never claim to be infallible； but study
scientifically to increase their knowledge and improve the
methods of treatment。 As a result of this； fresh air； regular
exercise for both sexes； with better conditions； and the
preservation of the lives of children that formerly died by
thous