NOW AND THEN.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2608, 16 August 1882, Page 3

NOW AND THEN.

The laet hundred years (according to the “Fortnightly Review") have seen in England the most sudden change in our material and external life that is, perhaps recorded in history. It is curious how many things date from 1770 or 1780. The use of steam in manufactures and locomotion by sea and land, the textile revolution, the factory system, the enormous growth of population, the change from a rural to a town life, the portentous growth of the Empire, the vast expansion of sea power, of commerce, of manufactures, of wealth, of intercommunication, of the post; then the use of gas,electricity, telegraphs, telephones, steam presses, sewing machines, air engines, photographs, tunnels, ship canals, and all the rest. Early in the last century England was one of the lesser kingdoms of Europe, but one-third in size and numbers of France or Germany. Now it is in size twenty times—twenty times as big as either. London then was only one of a dozen cities in Europe, hardly of the area of Manchester or Leeds- It is now the biggest and moat populous city in recorded history, nearly equal, wo suppose, in size and population to all the capitals of Europe put together. One hundred years ago to have lit the Olympic Theatre as it is now lighted would have cost, we suppose, £SO, and the labor of two or three men for an hour to light and snuff and extinguish the candles, It is now done for a shilling by one man in three minutes, A hundred years ago to have taken us all to our homes tonight would have cost, we suppose, on an average 6s a head and two hours’ weary jolting. We trust we may all got home tonight for 4d or 6d a head at the most in half-an-hour. It you wanted an answer from a friend in Dublin or Edinburgh it would hare cost you by post (one hundred years ago) about 2a in money and a fortnight in time. You now get an answer in thirty minutes for twopence, or a penny if you are as brief as the Prime Minister. A hundred years ago, if you wanted to go there, it would have taken you a week, and you would have to make your will. You can now go in a day, and come back the next day.