The only difficulty is how to
concentrate and utilize this wasted energy. From the stand-point
of exact science aerial navigation is a very simple matter. We
have only to find the proper combination of such elements as
weight, power, and mechanical force. Whenever Mr. Maxim can make
an engine strong and light enough, and sails large, strong, and
light enough, and devise the machinery required to connect the
sails and engine, he will fly. Science has nothing but encouraging
words for his project, so far as general principles are concerned.
Such being the case, I am not going to maintain that we can never
make it rain.
But I do maintain two propositions. If we are ever going to make
it rain, or produce any other result hitherto unattainable, we
must employ adequate means. And if any proposed means or agency is
already familiar to science, we may be able to decide beforehand
whether it is adequate. Let us grant that out of a thousand
seemingly visionary projects one is really sound. Must we try the
entire thousand to find the one? By no means. The chances are that
nine hundred of them will involve no agency that is not already
fully understood, and may, therefore, be set aside without even
being tried.
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