The operation of more complex mechanisms, such as automobiles, seems to be more difficult, because the operator has more different kinds of things to do.

Yet that it is really more difficult may be doubted for two reasons; one being that each single operation is of a more simple nature, and the other reason being that we know that a much higher degree of skill is possessed by a great billiardist than by an automobile chauffeur.

Of course, the reason of this may be that competition among billiardists has been much more keen than among chauffeurs; but even if this be true, it reminds us that _the difficulty of operating any machine depends on the degree of skill exacted_.

It also reminds us that, if a machine is to be operated in competition with another machine, the skill of the operator should be as great as it can be made.
The steaming competitions that have been carried on in our navy for several years are examples on a large scale of competitive trials of skill in operating machines.

These machines are very powerful, very complex, very important; and that supreme skill shall be used in operating them is very important too.