FRENCH GENIUS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 681, 27 June 1914, Page 2

FRENCH GENIUS.

Prance, holds the first place in modern invention. It invented the submarine, its artillery is. understood to be unequalled, and it originated the cinematograph. It was the pioneer of the motor-car, and still holds the supremacy of the motor world. From that triumph* has come its still greater achievement in aviation. These two inventions are the greatest tribute to the genius of France, to trie skill and 'daring nof its youth. » very purpose and object of these modern machines^-speed—acts with! magical effect on the minds of the young. It is a tonic, and fires them with courage to seek new realms to conquer. The marvellous engines which made the automobile and the aeroplane possible are the very perfection 1 of mechanical ingenuity, the triumph of concentrated power- TWihiriythe compass of a small machine, made with all the delicacy of a watch, is compressed the power of o7er a hundred horses. Before ,the dawn of the nineteenth century France changed the world politically ; <"& the threshold of the twentieth century her inventions are; working no less 'startling a revolution, in the domain of mechanical science. In no country in the world is originality and talent more appreciated. A few weeks ago Paris held its third aviation exhibition. It was opened with great State ceremony, in the presence of the leaders in public life, science, and commerce, by the President of the Republic; and in the evening the Government gave a gala performance in honour of aviation. All the mechanics who ,have become aviators, like Vedrines, were, of course, the guests of the State. Nowhere in the world could we see the State pay such honour to invention. The whole population takes the keenest interest in the triumphs of Young France. The popular newspapers' devote a large amount of space to aviation and autombbilism. The triumph of French genius in the epoch-making inventions which I bavd mentioned has a psychological and hypnotic influence on the young, who are full of eager fire,, for new efalert and alive. The interest in aviation begins with toys in, the ■nursery or at school; it is fostered through, youth to manhood- ' The whole nation is interested.—" Montreal Standard."