the iron and the cork would, but for the retarding effect of the
air, fall to the ground together, but the iron would strike the
ground with much greater force than the cork. Briefly stated, a
body which contains twice as much matter as another is attracted
or drawn towards the centre of the Earth with twice the force of
that other; if the mass be five times as great, then it will be
attracted with five times the force, and so on.

It is thus evident that the Earth must exert an overwhelming
attractive force on all bodies on or near its surface. Now, when
man rises from the ground in an aeroplane he is counter-acting
this force by other forces.

A short time ago the writer saw a picture which illustrated in a
very striking manner man's struggle with Nature. Nature was
represented as a giant of immense stature and strength, standing
on a globe with outstretched arms, and in his hands were shackles
of great size. Rising gracefully from the earth, immediately in
front of the giant, was an airman seated in a modern
flying-machine, and on his face was a happy-go-lucky look as
though he were delighting in the duel between him and the giant.
The artist had drawn the picture so skilfully that one could
imagine the huge, knotted fingers grasping the shackles were
itching to bring the airman within their clutch. The picture was
entitled "MAN TRIUMPHANT"

No doubt many of those who saw that picture were reminded of the
great sacrifices made by man in the past. In the wake of
the aviator there are many memorial stones of mournful
significance.