THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 25, 1994 TAG: 9409220205
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARY MARR
LENGTH: Long : 124 lines
It has been my privilege this summer to have in my custody 34 volumes purchased by my friend Ken Hamilton in England during his military service in the U.S. Air Force. The oldest book in the collection is the famous ``Breeches'' Bible, dated 1609.
One of the books is a collection of the editorials in The Guardian, the newspaper organized immediately after the demise of The Spectator, which had been founded by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele. The Guardian's editorials were first published in 1714, then collected and published in 1742.
The name signed, Nestor Ironside, is a ``pen'' name. Nestor is an ancient Greek name for any very old and wise person. Ironside is a play - a variation - on Richard Steele's last name.
This editorial is No. 112, dated Monday, July 22, 1714:
Hor. Od. 2. 1. 3. v. 23.
Scorns the base Earth, and
Crowd below;
And with a soaring Wing still
mounts on high.
- Creech
The Philosophers of King Charles his Reign were busy in finding out the Art of Flying. The Famous Bishop Wilkins was so confident of Success in it, that he says he does not question but in the next Age it will be as usual to hear a Man call for his Wings when he is going on a Journey, as it is now to call for his Boots. The Humour so prevailed amoung the Virtuosos of this Reign, that they were actually making Parties to go up to the Moon together, and were more put to it in their Thoughts how to meet with Accommodations by the way, than how to get thither. Every one knows the story of the great Lady, who at the same time was building Castles in the Air for their Reception. I always leave such trite Quotations to my Reader's private recollection. For which reason also I shall forbear extracting out of Authors several Instances of particular Persons who have arrived at some perfection in this Art, and exhibited Specimens of it before Multitudes of Beholders. Instead of this I shall present my Reader with the following Letter from an Artist, who is now taken up with this Invention, and conceals his true Name under that of ``Daedalus''.
Mr. Ironside,
Knowing that you are a great Encourager of Ingenuity, I think fit to acquaint you, that I have made a considerable progress in the Art of Flying.
I flutter about my Room two or three Hours in a Morning, and when my Wings are on, can go above a hundred yards at a Hop, Step and Jump. I can fly already as well as a Turkey-Cock, and improve every Day. If I proceed as I have begun, I intend to give the World a Proof of my proficiency in this Art.
Upon the next publick Thanksgiving-day it is my design to sit astride the Dragon upon Bow Steeple, from whence after the first Discharge of the Tower Guns I intend to mount into the Air, fly over Fleet-street, and pitch upon the May-pole in the Strand. From thence by a gradual descent, I shall make the best of my way for St. James's Park, and light upon the Ground near Rosamond's Pond.
This I doubt not will convince the World that I am no pretender; but before I set out, I shall desire to have a patent for making of Wings, and that none shall presume to fly, under Pain of Death, with Wings of any other Man's making.
I intend to work for the Court myself, and will have Journeymen under me to furnish the rest of the Nation. I likewise desire, that I may have the sole Teaching of Persons of quality, in which I shall spare neither Time nor Pains 'till I have made them as expert as myself.
I will fly with the Women upon my Back for the first Fortnight. I shall appear at the next Masquerade dressed up in my Feathers and Plumage like an Indian Prince, that the Quality may see how pretty they will look in their travelling Habits.
You know, Sir, there is an unaccountable prejudice to Projectors of all kinds, for which reason when I talk of practising to fly, silly People think me an Owl for my Pains; but, Sir, you know better things. I need not enumerate to you the Benefits which will accru to the Publick from this Invention, as how the Roads of England will be saved when we travel through these new ``High-ways,'' and how all Family-accounts will be lessened in the Article of Coaches and Horses. I need not mention Posts and packet-boats with many other Conveniencies of Life, which will be supplied this Way.
In short, Sir, when Mankind are in possession of this Art, they will be able to do more Business in threescore and ten Years than they could do in a thousand by the Methods now in Use, I therefore recommend myself and Art to your Patronage, and am
Your most humble servent.
I have fully considered the Project of these our modern ``Daedalists,'' and am resolved so far to discourage it, as to prevent any person from flying in my Time.
It would fill the World with innumerable Immoralities, and give such Occasions for Intrigues as People cannot meet with who have nothing but Legs to carry them. You should have a couple of Lovers make a Midnight Assignation upon the Top of the Monument, and see the Cupola of St. Paul's covered with both Sexes like the outside of a Pigeon-house. Nothing would be more frequent than to see a Beau flying in at a Garret-window, or a Galant giving Chase to his Mistress, like a Hawk after a Lark.
There would be no walking in a shady Wood without springing a Covey of Toasts. The poor Husband could not dream what was doing over his Head: If he were jealous indeed he might clip his Wife's Wings, but what would this avail when there were Flocks of Whore-masters perpetually hovering over his house? What concern would the Father of Family be in all the time his Daughter was upon the Wing: Every Heiress must have an old Woman flying at her Heels.
In short, the whole Air would be full of this kind of ``Gibier,'' as the French call it.
I do allow, with my Correspondent, that there would be much more Business done than there is at present. However should he apply for such a Patent as he speaks of, I question not but there would be more Petitions out of the City against it, than ever yet appeared against any other Monopoly whatsoever.
Every Tradesman that can't keep his Wife a Coach could keep her a pair of Wings, and there is no doubt but she would be every Morning and Evening taking the Air with them.
I HAVE here only considered the ill Consequences of this invention in the Influences it would have on Love-Affairs. I have many more Objections to make on other Accounts; but these I shall defer publishing 'till I see my Friend astride the Dragon. MEMO: NOTE: Editor Ronald L. Speer is on vacation (actually, he's moving
into new digs on Roanoke Island, which ain't really a vacation). So this
week's guest column - written 280 years ago - comes through the courtesy
of Mary Marr of Kill Devil Hills.
by CNB