THE AEROPLANE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 550, 3 July 1909, Page 11

THE AEROPLANE.

• *TS SOCIAL,POSSIBILITIES

English society papers are just now obsessed by the thought of tho revolution in modern modes of lite that will bo effected by tho early advent of the aeioplaue. They see the now winged creature on every horizon, ,they begin to plan aerial costumes, aud the column in one leading jouiual that used to bo devotod to motoring, is already headed .Motoring and Aeronautics,", with a subheading "Wheels and Wings," and there aro published guesses at de\ek>pments likely to take place soon. In tho "Queen" one writer very amusingly discourses about tho, aeroplane as a social factor. The advent of the aeroplane has caused whispers of wars and rumours of wars, but who has considered the subject from its social point of view—the aeroplane as a domestic pet of tho useful (not ornamental) point of view, it will bo at, once gi anted, teeming with possibilities. ', Suppose, then, that the aeroplane is already a social, factor in tho up-to-date world, and that no one belonging to the smart set would bo without his or hor aero garage; it is a glorious summer's day and My Lady has ajround of fashionable duties to perform, so she orders her aeroplane, and, hey presto! is up in the clpuds. It is about eleven o'clock in'tho morning and the air is full of smart butcher aeroplanes (painted blue, of course) fluttering in and out of the aero stations erected on each house-top, taking care not to collide with the baker aeroplanes, which aro \cqually 'busy distributing sweet, new bread, and luscious-looking crescents and rolls.\ The way in which these trado aeroplanes dart and swoop about is truly alarming, and My. Lady sighs for the afternoon When the air will bo clearer and tho traffic not so*congested. A nasty jerk causes her to oxclaim sharply, and the aeronaut oxplains that ho had taken too sharp a turn round the Nelson Monument, but that no'thing of any consequenco had happened. And so My Lady flies swiftly to Richmond, where she is due at a little luncheon party. Aftor liinch the various aeroplanes call for their respective owners. "Why not a, race in tho air?" cries .My Lady, all smiles and dimples,-and so up into tho clouds they all soar, the gaily coloured aeroplanes racing each other,, with shouts of laughter from their occupants, for the air has the same effect on My Lord and Lady as Hampstcad Heath on a Bank Holiday has on 'Arry and 'Arriet—tho air is so exhilarating on both. My Lady's aeroplane is so fantastically painted that when in full flight it suggests "Turneresque". sunset effects, a fanciful notion truly, but 'then My Lady flatters herself that thus her possession of the artistic temperament is convoyed to the world at Jargo The return flight is a dolightful one, and except for a vory slight.aontretemps with the pagoda in Kow Gardens, is accomplished in. safety. My Lady descends to earth again within the precincts of Mayfair, ,just in time for afternoon tea. Then, again, it is winter. Town is en. yeloped in a murky veil of fog.»' My Lady is distracted, for she has graciously consented to open I a bazaar at Brixton in aid of the Society 'for the Prevention of the Extinction of the Horse. All traffic is suspended, she is a prisonor in her gilded cage, buddonly sho slaps her hands in gloo. An inspiration I Why not, get above tho fog, cut the Brixton bazaar, and spend the afternoon thus gained'in Pans, for once above tho fog it would be absolutely impossible to locate tho whereabouts of Bmton, even were she very anxious to niako a descent there. No sooner said than done, the aeroplane is summoned, and very soon Her Ladyship is in tho g^, Rue Rivoli, investigating ledor- OJ nier cri in the world of fashion. ,_/ , She spends a delightful after- f. noon shopping in tho Gay City, /// tripping 'from "magazin" ,to J/// "magazin" ordering .frills . and d/J// : urbelows, some of them to bo Jy/y/ dohvered without fail that even- ffl////// A ing, commissions which are smile ? A? ingly accepted by tho polito Parlsian shopkeopors aa the easiest thing in the world \m* of fulfilment, for the entote cordialo has been considerably reinented since tho advent of tho aeroplane, a friendly rivalry existing between the English and French tradospeoplo foi patronage from clients on both sides of tie Channel. Her shopping finished, and My Lady refreshed with a dainty tea at Rumpelmeyor's, the I'eturn flight has to be contemplated, in spite of the fog in and around London! No- ■; thing 'daunted,. however, she gives herself - up to the present delight pf flying over the ' Channel, .where: the'air is , crisp, clear, < and ' invigorating, keeping in abeyance the die- ; agreeable thought of a ''difficult , descent in i fog-bound London. ' This difficulty, however, ,< is not such an insurmountable one when '< faced squarely and thoughtfully, and is very > cleverly overcome by My Lady's' aeronaut, 'i who" brings tho .aeroplane to :anchor,in Tra- i falgar Square; whence it aj comparatively I "eisy.v , journey ';_ to .reach Cufzwn. Street by ' irieans of.'• tax3<ab, just in time for dinner. :