As the word "Progress," though suggestive of activity, might, if its implication be long dwelt on, carry with it a prima facie semblance of prosiness,— although in regard to the wide field for intellectual research it denotes anything but dryness must occur to the interested student-the author conscious that in a light synoptic treatment of the matter it is better to temper gravity with cheerfulness, endeavours to present to his readers the salient bearings of his observations in a serio-comic aspect, and trusts that such innovations curt and ephemeral as they may be, will not render the production if unique, wholly void of interest and geniality.

If in regard to politics or the more sombre consideration of church matters, his views should offend the settled opinions, not to say obduracy of a sensitive reader, he asks him to overlook the offence and to reverse positions with him, not for a moment doubting that as the author has so endeavoured, the reader will succeed, in realizing the great principle of doing unto others that which we would. have others do unto ourselves.

In fine the author trusts that in the utterances of what he conceives to be facts, he may yet derive credit for honesty of purpose however stubborn or unpleasing to some minds they may happen to be.

30th April, 1881.

R. A. E.

ERRATA.

p. 21.-Last line but one, for "senses" read "sense."

p. 32.-7th line from foot, for "headlessly" read "heedlessly."

p 60.-5th line from foot, for "that has " read "that it has."

p. 61.-6th line, for "inevitable" read "inevitably."

p. 64. Last paragraph but one 1st line, for "animal" read "annual." p. 81.-2nd paragraph 6th line, leave out the "s" in "leads."

p. 82.-10th line 1st word, for "these " read "those."

p. 93.-1st paragraph, after "improvements" read "than that which during but a comparatively short period has taken place in engineering and mechanical appliances."

p. 108.-6th line from foot, instead of "addition of these three" read "addition to these three."

p. 112. 12th line, leave out the last "s" in "circumstances."

p. 155.—3rd line, for "larger" read "large."

CHAPTER I.

"I'll be at charges for a looking-glass,
And entertain a score or two of taylors,
To study fashions to adorn my body."

SHAKSPEARE.

To sit down before the glowing fire on a winter's evening whilst the snow is on the ground, a north east wind blowing with the thermometer registering fifteen degrees of frost, that may at any moment culminate by the negligence of the cook in the blowing up of the kitchen boiler, is boiler, is a state of circumstances which on the face of it discloses much of comfort and much of danger, yet it is difficult to say whether such a time is precisely that which one should select for the commencement of a book, having for its object the presentment of matter intended for serious contemplation and amusement. Amusement, it would be to the small fry if in the nursery rhymes of one hundred years hence it were recorded, how that:

"C' stood for the Cook with his white paper cap,

Who bent on the dinner preparing,

Was shot up aloft by a boiler red hot,

And went in bits through the roof for an airing!"

Progress it would be no doubt but too rapid for our purpose.

We will hope, notwithstanding the desire we always have to afford entertainment for the rising generation, that the frost may become warm hearted and not freeze the pipes-that the steam may go off through its proper channel and that that most

valuable if not most ornamental adjunct to the establishment may not convert himself into such a chef d'œuvre as the poet portends, but when he leaves may depart on his legs through the accustomed doorway regardless of boilers rampant or otherwise, and that we may be left in peace at least to ruminate if not to dilate upon the difficult subject our title gives us.

Nevertheless the danger thus lightly alluded to does not exist altogether in wild fancy, but is really one which has recently befallen several unfortunate persons in the position of the chef, and therefore even in this well regulated and comfortable dwelling, as we are bound to describe it, where we are now sojourning, is at this particular juncture not one from which we feel entirely free.

Whilst the winter of 1880-81, is a winter to be recorded by skaters as a joyful red letter season, the great Canadian storm of the 18th and 19th of January, 1881, and the subsequent hard weather involving immense losses on the Thames and on the western coast of England, the unheard of snow blockades on the various railways, the loss of life at sea, the deaths from exposure to frost, and the serious accidents by the explosion of household as well as engine boilers and so on, present the other side of the picture, the winter of our discontent, so that in the midst of gladness, we have surrounding us, woe never to be forgotten.

Let us look on the bright side however and clear the line, as the Viceroy of India sometimes says at