Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Invention, Genius, Physiology, Vaccination, Light, Technology, Steamships, Engineers

    Observing how the 'hair-brained and enthusiastic' have advanced the world, describes the work of several individuals whose influential claims and inventions were mocked. These include William Harvey, Edward Jenner, Frederick A Winsor, and George Stephenson. Argues that just as the 'wise world has laughed at the circulation of the blood—at gas—at steamboats—at railways', so the world laughs at 'preachers of peace', such as those at the Peace Congress.