22 FEBRUARY 1902, Page 16

pro THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."' SIR,--Th writer of the

article under this heading in the Spectator of February 15th makes no reference to one of the most remarkably explicit prophecies that ever attained fulfil- ment. In 1789 appeared Erasmus Darwin's poem, "The Loves of the Plants," wherein occur the lines :— " Soon shall thine arm, unconquer'd Steam, afar Drive the slow barge and drag the rapid car."

The Charlotte Dundas,' the first successful steamboat, went afloat as a tug on the Forth and Clyde Canal in 1801-2; but the earliest locomotive—Hedley's Puffing.Billy '—was not

put on the rails till 1813.-1 am, Sir, &c.,