An Englishman Looks At the World

Herbert George "H. G." Wells (21 September 1866 – 13 August 1946)was an English writer, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a rolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing textbooks and rules for war games.Excerpt-The telephone bell rings with the petulant persistence that marks a trunk call, and I go in from some ineffectual gymnastics on the lawn to deal with the irruption. There is the usual trouble in connecting up, minute voices in Folkestone and Dover and London call to one another and are submerged by buzzings and throbbings. Then in elfin tones the real message comes through: "Blériot has crossed the Channel.... An article ... about what it means."
I make a hasty promise and go out and tell my friends.
From my garden I look straight upon the Channel, and there are white caps upon the water, and the iris and tamarisk are all asway with the south-west wind that was also blowing yesterday. M. Blériot has done very well, and Mr. Latham, his rival, had jolly bad luck. That is what it means to us first of all.