Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Progress, Steam-power, Electricity, Chemistry, Photography, Physiology, Education, Invention, War, Railways, Publishing, Telegraphy, Politics

    Begins by acknowledging that steam, electricity, and chemistry have 'worked many wonders and that it was 'hoped they'd much conduce to the advancement of Society'. Praises the fact that photography has effected 'many faithful likenesses', that 'lovely woman is learning Physiography', and that 'We've all sort of conveniences, and comforts, and facilities'. Ends by noting that 'Successive wars and bloodshed, upon land and upon ocean / Have been immensely furthered by our means of locomotion, / Cheap Press, magnetic telegraph, and rapid information', and hopes 'we derive more profit from extended education' (a reference to William E Forster's Education Act).