This guide will help players determine how many cars are in the factory and open the Bright Falls truck bed Cult Stash in Alan Wake 2.

Alan Wake 2: Car and Bike Wheels Puzzle Code Solution (Bright Falls Truck Bed Cult Stash)

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The realism, depth and detail of this technology won me over instantly. I just wish everybody else had the software and hardware to appreciate it, too.

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A Bowling Green State University computer science professor is developing an open-source tool for software developers unlike anything currently available as part of a federally-funded grant designed to support research on how software evolves over time.

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Introduction Software development stands as the backbone of innovation. In today’s fast-paced world, where digital platforms, mobile applications, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things are advancing at an unprecedented pace,

Exploring the Future of Software Development: Pursuing a BS in Computer Software Technology

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Brights

brights

With the crypto market emerging from its doldrums, you may be asking yourself how long your altcoins will take to return to their previous highs (or, at least, the price you paid). Fortunately, I know the answer. Probably never. Lightning in a bottle Pull up CoinMarketCap and look at each cryptocurrency in the top 100. Here’s the link: https://coinmarketcap.com/?source=post_page-----6a37954c23c7--------------------------------&embedable=true For each token listed, you can see its all-time high price. Most reached their pinnacles in 2021 or the very beginning of 2018. A handful reached their peaks earlier this year, but only because they were so new that they didn’t exist in 2021 or 2018. Those are the biggest, supposedly most successful cryptocurrencies. We’re not even including the (many) ones that peaked in 2013 or early 2018, then fell off the top 100 list. Look at their charts and find the ones that went back to their all-time highs. You won’t find many. A handful, at best. Is your altcoin the lucky one that bucks the trend? Uphill battle Of the top 100 altcoins in November 2022, at the depths of the previous bear market, how many remain in the top 100? Only half. I know, because I reviewed them in a special report on which ones will survive through the bull market. Since then, Bitcoin’s price has quadrupled while most altcoins haven’t even doubled. Many remain 90% lower than their previous all-time high prices. Take a look at the total crypto market cap minus Bitcoin: While Bitcoin’s price breached its 2021 high and remains within a breath of tapping it again, the rest of the market is down almost 50% and never came close to recovering its 2021 high. If you’re hoping your favorite altcoin will return to its former glory, you may want to temper your expectations. Skewed perspective Fortunately, crypto goes through bouts of speculative mania now and then. Some call this “altseason,” but it can happen anytime. During these rare, brief times, prices go crazy. Insane. Beyond comprehension or sanity. Like this: They don’t come often and don’t last long. What’s the party stops, everything falls apart. During those brief periods, you get 500-1,000% zooms on many altcoins. Outside of those brief periods, it's hit or miss. (Mostly, miss.) You probably bought during those bouts of speculative mania — after the 500–1,000% gains, or maybe in March and April this year. Your altcoin isn't suffering because it's bad or useless, but because its price never should’ve gone that high in the first place. Hence, the letdown. On the brightside For any project that’s worthwhile, you still have tremendous opportunity. 100x? Maybe, maybe not. I offer a few great projects in my altcoin reports. https://cryptoiseasy.beehiiv.com/p/altcoin-reports-6a07?embedable=true 20% of those altcoins will do amazing things. More than enough to make up for the 80% that don’t. If you look down at your portfolio and see a bunch of altcoins down 90% from their peaks, don't despair. More than likely, the problem isn't the token — it's your timing. For example, today, many altcoins are down 50 to 80% from their prices just a few months ago—and those prices were already down 50 to 80% from their all-time highs! You get to buy them at a massive discount. You may feel like you're throwing money into the wilderness. To some extent, you are. But you also did that earlier this year at much higher prices. At least now, you don't have to bank on new all-time highs to get a nice return on your investment. Mark Helfman publishes the Crypto is Easy newsletter. He is also the author of three books and a top Bitcoin writer on Medium and Hacker Noon. Learn more about him in his bio and connect with him on Tealfeed. With the crypto market emerging from its doldrums, you may be asking yourself how long your altcoins will take to return to their previous highs (or, at least, the price you paid). Fortunately, I know the answer. Probably never. Lightning in a bottle Pull up CoinMarketCap and look at each cryptocurrency in the top 100. Here’s the link: https://coinmarketcap.com/?source=post_page-----6a37954c23c7--------------------------------&embedable=true https://coinmarketcap.com/?source=post_page-----6a37954c23c7--------------------------------&embedable=true For each token listed, you can see its all-time high price. Most reached their pinnacles in 2021 or the very beginning of 2018. A handful reached their peaks earlier this year, but only because they were so new that they didn’t exist in 2021 or 2018. Those are the biggest, supposedly most successful cryptocurrencies. We’re not even including the (many) ones that peaked in 2013 or early 2018, then fell off the top 100 list. Look at their charts and find the ones that went back to their all-time highs. You won’t find many. A handful, at best. Is your altcoin the lucky one that bucks the trend? Uphill battle Of the top 100 altcoins in November 2022, at the depths of the previous bear market, how many remain in the top 100? Only half. I know, because I reviewed them in a special report on which ones will survive through the bull market . a special report on which ones will survive through the bull market a special report on which ones will survive through the bull market Since then, Bitcoin’s price has quadrupled while most altcoins haven’t even doubled. Many remain 90% lower than their previous all-time high prices. Take a look at the total crypto market cap minus Bitcoin: While Bitcoin’s price breached its 2021 high and remains within a breath of tapping it again, the rest of the market is down almost 50% and never came close to recovering its 2021 high. If you’re hoping your favorite altcoin will return to its former glory, you may want to temper your expectations. Skewed perspective Fortunately, crypto goes through bouts of speculative mania now and then. Some call this “altseason,” but it can happen anytime. During these rare, brief times, prices go crazy. Insane. Beyond comprehension or sanity. Like this: They don’t come often and don’t last long. What’s the party stops, everything falls apart. During those brief periods, you get 500-1,000% zooms on many altcoins. Outside of those brief periods, it's hit or miss. (Mostly, miss.) You probably bought during those bouts of speculative mania — after the 500–1,000% gains, or maybe in March and April this year. Your altcoin isn't suffering because it's bad or useless, but because its price never should’ve gone that high in the first place. Hence, the letdown. On the brightside For any project that’s worthwhile, you still have tremendous opportunity. 100x? Maybe, maybe not. I offer a few great projects in my altcoin reports . my altcoin reports my altcoin reports https://cryptoiseasy.beehiiv.com/p/altcoin-reports-6a07?embedable=true https://cryptoiseasy.beehiiv.com/p/altcoin-reports-6a07?embedable=true 20% of those altcoins will do amazing things. More than enough to make up for the 80% that don’t. If you look down at your portfolio and see a bunch of altcoins down 90% from their peaks, don't despair. More than likely, the problem isn't the token — it's your timing. For example, today, many altcoins are down 50 to 80% from their prices just a few months ago—and those prices were already down 50 to 80% from their all-time highs! You get to buy them at a massive discount. You may feel like you're throwing money into the wilderness. To some extent, you are. But you also did that earlier this year at much higher prices. At least now, you don't have to bank on new all-time highs to get a nice return on your investment. Mark Helfman publishes the Crypto is Easy newsletter. He is also the author of three books and a top Bitcoin writer on Medium and Hacker Noon . Learn more about him in his bio and connect with him on Tealfeed . Crypto is Easy Crypto is Easy Crypto is Easy Medium Medium Medium Hacker Noon Hacker Noon Hacker Noon bio bio Tealfeed Tealfeed

When Will Your Altcoin Reach Its Next All-Time High?

Can you make money from AI? Yes, you can! AI (Artificial Intelligence) came in and swept the world off its ankles. It went from a phenomenon to a tool that most people use to expedite their tasks in today’s world. In doing so, comes opportunity; we’re talking side hustles from the comfort of your home to earn extra funds. How? Let’s get into it. Faceless YouTube Channels Have you ever stumbled across those YouTube channels where the creator remains a mystery, never revealing their face? There’s a good reason some creators might prefer to stay behind the scenes: profitability with minimal effort. Today I’ll let you in on a secret: these faceless channels are racking in tens of thousands of dollars per month in a nearly automated fashion. Brightside is a great example. This channel is banking over $10,000 monthly, excluding the extra cash from sponsorships and more. But they aren’t the only ones. Channels across YouTube are thriving financially with seemingly little work. The kicker? AI now serves as the ultimate sidekick, converting simple text prompts into fully fleshed-out videos ready for upload. That’s right, any individual can initiate a steady stream of what’s referred to as recurring income, an eloquent term for passive income, from almost any corner of the globe with just around $20 and a slice of their time using InvideoAI: Here’s how the magic happens: begin by inputting a text prompt into a facility known as ChatGPT, which then colludes with a tool called InvideoAI. It transforms your prompt into a comprehensive video you can spice up with your personal touch. Be creative with your packaging, which in YouTube speak, is crafting an enticing title and thumbnail. Post your masterpiece, and soon you’ll witness both views and earnings soar. Resume Writing Now this is one that I’m very familiar with because I help people make their resumes all the time! And the thing about resume writing is, it’s not so much about helping you get a job but making sure you don’t lose out on one! So you just need to make sure that it’s decent. There’s a story of a 35-year-old teacher who brought in 2 million from his resume writing side hustle and with the power of AI you can do this much more quickly. Now there are a ton of different AI resume websites out there in my opinion, the best one is going to be Rezi AI. Rezi AI is great and you can also combine it with Anakin AI’s plethora of AI writing tools just to make things a little bit better. Now typically, it’s not going to perfectly write anyone’s resume right off the bat, but it’ll get about 80% of it right? And then you go in and you fix things using Anakin AI and your brain. Now I’m going to be honest with you, again, like many other types of freelancing or making money online, it’s going to be best if you specialize; not only will it be best for you, but it’ll also be best for the client. So, you want to pick a particular type of career to write resumes and you want to familiarize yourself with that career and that industry. Overall, I think Resume Writing is a phenomenal opportunity. I’ve known people who’ve started seven-figure businesses in certain places like finance or management consulting, and it was all from writing resumes. So I’m gonna give this one an eight out of 10 opportunity score. I’ve met people who have started seven-figure businesses in certain places like finance or management consulting, and it was all from writing resumes. Creating Stock Images AI is getting so good that it’s almost indistinguishable from real-life images. And so, what you want to do as someone who creates AI-generated images, you want to see what type of images people are often searching for, and then see what types of images are already offered on these different platforms. For instance, Adobe Stock does allow AI-generated images on their platform. So, if you know the supply and you know the demand, then you’re going to be able to see that there are certain gaps in the market and that’s where you want to go ahead and fill those gaps by making a bunch of AI-generated images and on Adobe Stock, you’ll get up to 33% royalties. So, let’s say you sell an image for $1, you will get 33 cents out of that, and that probably doesn’t sound like much but if you think about the fact that you create an image one time and then it earns you royalties for the rest of your life, that can add up over time. So, each time you create an image and put it on a website like that, it’s almost like a little worker that’s out there making money for you 24/7. Creating AI Clothing Models There’s an artwork that was created using AI. Everyone knows that it was created using AI and has sold for $432,000 at an auction. Imagine that! A portrait by an AI program! There’s a lot of money, a lot of opportunities out there for this type of side hustle and it’s called AI Clothing Models. Clothing brands often need photos of models wearing their products. If you think I’m going to tell you to pull out a camera or unleash your inner Zoolander, no. With Al, there’s no need because you’ve got an entire army of models at your fingertips. With the Capcut for Business Al model tool, you can upload a photo of a piece of clothing and choose a model. Click, generate, and in seconds Al will ply your clothing onto the model. It is magic. You can offer the service on Fiver or directly to small clothing brands. Typically, a photo shoot with a model can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Realistically, will people pay the same amount for Al models versus real models? Probably not. Will they pay $20, $50, $100 maybe? I would guess most clients have a limited budget, so you’ll earn less, but with volume, the work could be worthwhile. Conclusion Now we have so many ideas for AI side hustles. To build the perfect AI side hustle project, you’re gonna need the perfect AI Tools. So keep on exploring!

4 AI Side Hustles in 2024: Earn Big from Home

98 Stories To Learn About Netflix

Mark Twain's Speeches by Mark Twain, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . DR. MARK TWAIN, FARMEOPATH here DR. MARK TWAIN, FARMEOPATH ADDRESS AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE NEW YORK POST-GRADUATE
          MEDICAL SCHOOL AND HOSPITAL, JANUARY 21, 1909

          The president, Dr.  George N.  Miller, in introducing Mr.
          Clemens, referred to his late experience with burglars. GENTLEMEN AND DOCTORS,—I am glad to be among my own kind to-night. I was once a sharpshooter, but now I practise a much higher and equally as deadly a profession. It wasn’t so very long ago that I became a member of your cult, and for the time I’ve been in the business my record is one that can’t be scoffed at. As to the burglars, I am perfectly familiar with these people. I have always had a good deal to do with burglars—not officially, but through their attentions to me. I never suffered anything at the hands of a burglar. They have invaded my house time and time again. They never got anything. Then those people who burglarized our house in September—we got back the plated ware they took off, we jailed them, and I have been sorry ever since. They did us a great service they scared off all the servants in the place. I consider the Children’s Theatre, of which I am president, and the Post-Graduate Medical School as the two greatest institutions in the country. This school, in bringing its twenty thousand physicians from all parts of the country, bringing them up to date, and sending them back with renewed confidence, has surely saved hundreds of thousands of lives which otherwise would have been lost. I have been practising now for seven months. When I settled on my farm in Connecticut in June I found the Community very thinly settled—and since I have been engaged in practice it has become more thinly settled still. This gratifies me, as indicating that I am making an impression on my community. I suppose it is the same with all of you. I have always felt that I ought to do something for you, and so I organized a Redding (Connecticut) branch of the Post-Graduate School. I am only a country farmer up there, but I am doing the best I can. Of course, the practice of medicine and surgery in a remote country district has its disadvantages, but in my case I am happy in a division of responsibility. I practise in conjunction with a horse-doctor, a sexton, and an undertaker. The combination is air-tight, and once a man is stricken in our district escape is impossible for him. These four of us—three in the regular profession and the fourth an undertaker—are all good men. There is Bill Ferguson, the Redding undertaker. Bill is there in every respect. He is a little lukewarm on general practice, and writes his name with a rubber stamp. Like my old Southern, friend, he is one of the finest planters anywhere. Then there is Jim Ruggles, the horse-doctor. Ruggles is one of the best men I have got. He also is not much on general medicine, but he is a fine horse-doctor. Ferguson doesn’t make any money off him. You see, the combination started this way. When I got up to Redding and had become a doctor, I looked around to see what my chances were for aiding in the great work. The first thing I did was to determine what manner of doctor I was to be. Being a Connecticut farmer, I naturally consulted my farmacopia, and at once decided to become a farmeopath. Then I got circulating about, and got in touch with Ferguson and Ruggles. Ferguson joined readily in my ideas, but Ruggles kept saying that, while it was all right for an undertaker to get aboard, he couldn’t see where it helped horses. Well, we started to find out what was the trouble with the community, and it didn’t take long to find out that there was just one disease, and that was race-suicide. And driving about the country-side I was told by my fellow-farmers that it was the only rational human and valuable disease. But it is cutting into our profits so that we’ll either have to stop it or we’ll have to move. We’ve had some funny experiences up there in Redding. Not long ago a fellow came along with a rolling gait and a distressed face. We asked him what was the matter. We always hold consultations on every case, as there isn’t business enough for four. He said he didn’t know, but that he was a sailor, and perhaps that might help us to give a diagnosis. We treated him for that, and I never saw a man die more peacefully. That same afternoon my dog Tige treed an African gentleman. We chained up the dog, and then the gentleman came down and said he had appendicitis. We asked him if he wanted to be cut open, and he said yes, that he’d like to know if there was anything in it. So we cut him open and found nothing in him but darkness. So we diagnosed his case as infidelity, because he was dark inside. Tige is a very clever dog, and aids us greatly. The other day a patient came to me and inquired if I was old Doctor Clemens— As a practitioner I have given a great deal of my attention to Bright’s disease. I have made some rules for treating it that may be valuable. Listen: Rule 1. When approaching the bedside of one whom an all-wise President—I mean an all-wise Providence—well, anyway, it’s the same thing—has seen fit to afflict with disease—well, the rule is simple, even if it is old-fashioned. Rule 2. I’ve forgotten just what it is, but— Rule 3. This is always indispensable: Bleed your patient. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Mark Twain (2004). Mark Twain's Speeches. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved October 2022 https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/3188/pg3188-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

DR. MARK TWAIN, FARMEOPATH

Among the various strategic options and collaborative approaches, the creation of dedicated development teams is a magnet for creative possibilities. This method opens doors to unique opportunities for companies, enabling them to structure while drawing inspiration from collaboration with specialists who are ready to shoulder responsibilities and work consistently. project execution Recently, an increasing number of organizations have been redirecting their focus towards countries such as Ukraine and India when it comes to establishing dedicated development teams. What prompts this shift in attention? These nations not only boast a reservoir of highly skilled coders but also present an enticing advantage in terms of cost-effectiveness. To put this into perspective, while the average hourly rate for a frontend developer in the United States hovers around $80, in Poland, this figure can be as low as $50, and in Ukraine, an even more economical $35. In the upcoming article, we'll explore the art of choosing the right path to assemble a dedicated development team, along with the crucial factors to consider, while also delving into the possibilities of partnering with established and reliable companies in the market. Dedicated developers By considering factors like pricing, customer reviews, and service offerings, we've meticulously curated a roster of companies specializing in dedicated team services.  Below, we take a closer look at these companies to help you make an informed decision that meets your specific requirements. Brights is an established software development firm that boasts a remarkable 12-year legacy of excellence. Having successfully delivered 400 projects, they have garnered extensive recognition in the realm of web development. On the Clutch platform, this company has a high review rating of 5.0 out of a total of 19 reviews. Specializing in validation, MVP development, product scaling, UX improvement, security audit, high-load project optimization, or cloud migration, Brights brings to the table a fusion of tried-and-tested methodologies. Brights Intellectsoft , a leading digital transformation consulting firm, is committed to delivering advanced engineering solutions for global enterprises. Recognized as one of the best B2B software development companies in 2021 by Clutch, and has 4.9 stars out of 36 reviews. Intellectsoft's services include strategic IT consulting, CX design, full-stack application development, IoT systems engineering, legacy product reengineering, and process consulting. From idea to implementation and ongoing support, Intellectsoft accompanies the entire innovation journey. Intellectsoft N-iX N-iX is an IT company with more than two thousand experts across Europe and North and South America. Founded 21 years ago, the company has 4.8 stars on Clutch out of 31 reviews. N-iX's expertise encompasses a wide range of areas, including Cloud Solutions, Data Analytics, AI, ML, and Data Science, Embedded Software and IoT, Intelligent Platforms and RPA, Digital Transformation, as well as UI/UX Design. The company is also proud to be a reliable partner of well-known international technology giants, including OpenText, SAP, Microsoft, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services. Newxel Newxel is a global provider of R&D centers and dedicated technical teams with a 4.8-star rating based on 4 reviews on Clutch. They offer rapid setup of global R&D centers/offshore teams, efficient back-office operations, and transparent pricing.  Newxel specialists have experience in hiring developers with any technical stack and experience in various industries: AI, ML, Data Science, or anything else you plan to build. Operating in a highly competitive environment, the company covers legal entities, business representatives, operational offices, and client teams in Europe, Israel, and North America. Impressit Impressit is a prominent software development agency specializing in web and mobile app development, along with enterprise software solutions. The company excels in offering a diverse range of technologies, with a strong focus on the JavaScript stack. Founded in 2018, Impressit proudly maintains an average review rating of 5.0, based on 9 reviews on Clutch, demonstrating unwavering commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. Geniusee Geniusee is a software development company known for its ability to deliver cutting-edge technology solutions. The company's commitment to delivering top-notch solutions is evidenced by our impressive overall rating of 5.0 based on 50 reviews on Clutch. Geniusee expertise covers a wide range, including serverless architecture, front-end development, back-end development, mobile development, business analysis, data science, artificial intelligence and machine intelligence, DevOps engineering, UI/UX design, and automation, combined with manual control and quality assurance. Beetroot Beetroot operates as a global facilitator for companies across the world, assisting them in their efforts to expand and fulfill their technology-driven ambitions in Europe. Their Clutch rating, standing at an impressive 4.8, is indicative of the client satisfaction evident in the 26 reviews. Beetroot's proficiency extends to front-end development, encompassing single-page web applications and tailor-made website themes and back-end development. Beetroot's capabilities are not confined to web development alone; they also excel in cross-platform and native mobile app development, serving both iOS and Android. OTAKOYI OTAKOYI is a software development company that was founded in Lviv and has been providing useful and effective products for over 12 years. With their extensive experience spanning various industries such as Legal, Retail, Healthcare, Fintech, and more, OTAKOYI is well-equipped to provide value at any stage of a business's growth, facilitating digital transformation. The outstanding 4.8-star rating on Clutch, drawn from 41 total reviews, serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment to delivering excellence and ensuring client satisfaction. NerdySoft NerdySoft is a software development agency with a team of world-class engineers founded in March 2016. They specialize in swiftly assembling cost-effective agile development teams for both startups and enterprises, facilitating the quick development of minimum viable products (MVPs), adaptable pivoting, and accelerated time-to-market for products. NerdySoft enjoys a stellar 5-star rating on Clutch, based on 5 total reviews, making them a trusted ally in turning creative concepts into tangible successes. Reasons to hire a dedicated team Realizing excellent project implementation often relies on dedicated specialists, and many businesses are finding that nurturing in-house talent may not always be cost-effective. This section explores the compelling reasons why dedicated teams often offer deeper expertise than in-house teams. A dedicated development team ensures that your product is the singular point of attention. By excluding distractions, they can guarantee the product's on-time release and a feature set brimming with excellence. Product Focus: The unique blend of expertise and unwavering dedication within a dedicated team significantly bolsters the chances of a successful product launch. With their intimate understanding of your project, you can expect a streamlined and triumphant unveiling. Elevated product launch success: Sustained commitment to long-term projects: If you need continual updates, maintenance, and enhancements, a dedicated development team is your steadfast partner. Unlike the limitations of fixed-term contracts or the unpredictability of freelance developers, a dedicated team remains committed throughout your project's lifecycle, adeptly handling routine updates and enhancements. Budget-friendly solutions: Even companies with modest budgets can tap into the benefits of dedicated development teams. These teams often reside in regions with competitive rates, making outsourcing a cost-effective solution. This approach allows you to harness the expertise of a skilled development team without the overhead costs associated with in-house hires. As your business experiences rapid growth or heightened project demands, dedicated development teams offer a swift and effective path to scale your development efforts. Their inherent flexibility allows for seamless expansion, ensuring your development needs align with your evolving requirements. Effortless scalability: In situations where projects require highly specialized knowledge and skills, a dedicated development team can be thoughtfully assembled. Each member is chosen based on their specific competencies and experience, precisely aligning with the unique challenges and technologies involved in your project. This customization guarantees that your project is in the capable hands of professionals well-versed in the intricacies of your chosen technology stack. Tailored specialized expertise: How to pick the right a dedicated team In the intricate selection of a dedicated team, the meticulous understanding process is your compass. In this part, we will explore the key factors and considerations that will help you find a perfect match for your needs. Whether you're aiming to enhance your existing team or initiate a new project, these insights will help you navigate the path to finding the perfect dedicated team. Within the tapestry of interviews and hands-on project collaboration, unearth the hidden gems in your remote team. Unearth the depths of your team members' skills and experiences, for this knowledge may well be the time-saving treasure map of your future projects. Expertise arsenal: Ensure that they adhere to high-security standards such as ISO, PCI, and HIPAA and maintain an effective information security policy. Security and Standards: Examine customer reviews, references, and success stories related to the longlisted providers. You can find this valuable information on their official websites, as well as on platforms like LinkedIn, Clutch, Manifest, GoodFirms, and other similar ranking and feedback sites. Also, seek out candid feedback from past and current clients to gain insights into their experiences. This will provide a clearer picture of the provider's track record and reputation. Reviews and Testimonials:

Dedicated Development Teams: How to Make the Best Choice 

109 Stories To Learn About Streaming

Five Weeks in a Balloon by Jules Verne, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . Chapter I here CHAPTER FIRST. The End of a much-applauded Speech.—The Presentation of Dr. Samuel Ferguson.—Excelsior.—Full-length Portrait of the Doctor.—A Fatalist convinced.—A Dinner at the Travellers’ Club.—Several Toasts for the Occasion. There was a large audience assembled on the 14th of January, 1862, at the session of the Royal Geographical Society, No. 3 Waterloo Place, London. The president, Sir Francis M——, made an important communication to his colleagues, in an address that was frequently interrupted by applause. This rare specimen of eloquence terminated with the following sonorous phrases bubbling over with patriotism: “England has always marched at the head of nations” (for, the reader will observe, the nations always march at the head of each other), “by the intrepidity of her explorers in the line of geographical discovery.” (General assent). “Dr. Samuel Ferguson, one of her most glorious sons, will not reflect discredit on his origin.” (“No, indeed!” from all parts of the hall.) “This attempt, should it succeed” (“It will succeed!”), “will complete and link together the notions, as yet disjointed, which the world entertains of African cartology” (vehement applause); “and, should it fail, it will, at least, remain on record as one of the most daring conceptions of human genius!” (Tremendous cheering.) “Huzza! huzza!” shouted the immense audience, completely electrified by these inspiring words. “Huzza for the intrepid Ferguson!” cried one of the most excitable of the enthusiastic crowd. The wildest cheering resounded on all sides; the name of Ferguson was in every mouth, and we may safely believe that it lost nothing in passing through English throats. Indeed, the hall fairly shook with it. And there were present, also, those fearless travellers and explorers whose energetic temperaments had borne them through every quarter of the globe, many of them grown old and worn out in the service of science. All had, in some degree, physically or morally, undergone the sorest trials. They had escaped shipwreck; conflagration; Indian tomahawks and war-clubs; the fagot and the stake; nay, even the cannibal maws of the South Sea Islanders. But still their hearts beat high during Sir Francis M——‘s address, which certainly was the finest oratorical success that the Royal Geographical Society of London had yet achieved. But, in England, enthusiasm does not stop short with mere words. It strikes off money faster than the dies of the Royal Mint itself. So a subscription to encourage Dr. Ferguson was voted there and then, and it at once attained the handsome amount of two thousand five hundred pounds. The sum was made commensurate with the importance of the enterprise. A member of the Society then inquired of the president whether Dr. Ferguson was not to be officially introduced. “The doctor is at the disposition of the meeting,” replied Sir Francis. “Let him come in, then! Bring him in!” shouted the audience. “We’d like to see a man of such extraordinary daring, face to face!” “Perhaps this incredible proposition of his is only intended to mystify us,” growled an apoplectic old admiral. “Suppose that there should turn out to be no such person as Dr. Ferguson?” exclaimed another voice, with a malicious twang. “Why, then, we’d have to invent one!” replied a facetious member of this grave Society. “Ask Dr. Ferguson to come in,” was the quiet remark of Sir Francis M——. And come in the doctor did, and stood there, quite unmoved by the thunders of applause that greeted his appearance. He was a man of about forty years of age, of medium height and physique. His sanguine temperament was disclosed in the deep color of his cheeks. His countenance was coldly expressive, with regular features, and a large nose—one of those noses that resemble the prow of a ship, and stamp the faces of men predestined to accomplish great discoveries. His eyes, which were gentle and intelligent, rather than bold, lent a peculiar charm to his physiognomy. His arms were long, and his feet were planted with that solidity which indicates a great pedestrian. A calm gravity seemed to surround the doctor’s entire person, and no one would dream that he could become the agent of any mystification, however harmless. Hence, the applause that greeted him at the outset continued until he, with a friendly gesture, claimed silence on his own behalf. He stepped toward the seat that had been prepared for him on his presentation, and then, standing erect and motionless, he, with a determined glance, pointed his right forefinger upward, and pronounced aloud the single word— “Excelsior!” Never had one of Bright’s or Cobden’s sudden onslaughts, never had one of Palmerston’s abrupt demands for funds to plate the rocks of the English coast with iron, made such a sensation. Sir Francis M——‘s address was completely overshadowed. The doctor had shown himself moderate, sublime, and self-contained, in one; he had uttered the word of the situation— “Excelsior!” The gouty old admiral who had been finding fault, was completely won over by the singular man before him, and immediately moved the insertion of Dr. Ferguson’s speech in “The Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of London.” Who, then, was this person, and what was the enterprise that he proposed? Ferguson’s father, a brave and worthy captain in the English Navy, had associated his son with him, from the young man’s earliest years, in the perils and adventures of his profession. The fine little fellow, who seemed to have never known the meaning of fear, early revealed a keen and active mind, an investigating intelligence, and a remarkable turn for scientific study; moreover, he disclosed uncommon address in extricating himself from difficulty; he was never perplexed, not even in handling his fork for the first time—an exercise in which children generally have so little success. His fancy kindled early at the recitals he read of daring enterprise and maritime adventure, and he followed with enthusiasm the discoveries that signalized the first part of the nineteenth century. He mused over the glory of the Mungo Parks, the Bruces, the Caillies, the Levaillants, and to some extent, I verily believe, of Selkirk (Robinson Crusoe), whom he considered in no wise inferior to the rest. How many a well-employed hour he passed with that hero on his isle of Juan Fernandez! Often he criticised the ideas of the shipwrecked sailor, and sometimes discussed his plans and projects. He would have done differently, in such and such a case, or quite as well at least—of that he felt assured. But of one thing he was satisfied, that he never should have left that pleasant island, where he was as happy as a king without subjects—no, not if the inducement held out had been promotion to the first lordship in the admiralty! It may readily be conjectured whether these tendencies were developed during a youth of adventure, spent in every nook and corner of the Globe. Moreover, his father, who was a man of thorough instruction, omitted no opportunity to consolidate this keen intelligence by serious studies in hydrography, physics, and mechanics, along with a slight tincture of botany, medicine, and astronomy. Upon the death of the estimable captain, Samuel Ferguson, then twenty-two years of age, had already made his voyage around the world. He had enlisted in the Bengalese Corps of Engineers, and distinguished himself in several affairs; but this soldier’s life had not exactly suited him; caring but little for command, he had not been fond of obeying. He, therefore, sent in his resignation, and half botanizing, half playing the hunter, he made his way toward the north of the Indian Peninsula, and crossed it from Calcutta to Surat—a mere amateur trip for him. From Surat we see him going over to Australia, and in 1845 participating in Captain Sturt’s expedition, which had been sent out to explore the new Caspian Sea, supposed to exist in the centre of New Holland. Samuel Ferguson returned to England about 1850, and, more than ever possessed by the demon of discovery, he spent the intervening time, until 1853, in accompanying Captain McClure on the expedition that went around the American Continent from Behring’s Straits to Cape Farewell. Notwithstanding fatigues of every description, and in all climates, Ferguson’s constitution continued marvellously sound. He felt at ease in the midst of the most complete privations; in fine, he was the very type of the thoroughly accomplished explorer whose stomach expands or contracts at will; whose limbs grow longer or shorter according to the resting-place that each stage of a journey may bring; who can fall asleep at any hour of the day or awake at any hour of the night. Nothing, then, was less surprising, after that, than to find our traveller, in the period from 1855 to 1857, visiting the whole region west of the Thibet, in company with the brothers Schlagintweit, and bringing back some curious ethnographic observations from that expedition. During these different journeys, Ferguson had been the most active and interesting correspondent of the , the penny newspaper whose circulation amounts to 140,000 copies, and yet scarcely suffices for its many legions of readers. Thus, the doctor had become well known to the public, although he could not claim membership in either of the Royal Geographical Societies of London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, or St. Petersburg, or yet with the Travellers’ Club, or even the Royal Polytechnic Institute, where his friend the statistician Cockburn ruled in state. Daily Telegraph The latter had, one day, gone so far as to propose to him the following problem: Given the number of miles travelled by the doctor in making the circuit of the Globe, how many more had his head described than his feet, by reason of the different lengths of the radii?—or, the number of miles traversed by the doctor’s head and feet respectively being given, required the exact height of that gentleman? savant This was done with the idea of complimenting him, but the doctor had held himself aloof from all the learned bodies—belonging, as he did, to the church militant and not to the church polemical. He found his time better employed in seeking than in discussing, in discovering rather than discoursing. There is a story told of an Englishman who came one day to Geneva, intending to visit the lake. He was placed in one of those odd vehicles in which the passengers sit side by side, as they do in an omnibus. Well, it so happened that the Englishman got a seat that left him with his back turned toward the lake. The vehicle completed its circular trip without his thinking to turn around once, and he went back to London delighted with the Lake of Geneva. Doctor Ferguson, however, had turned around to look about him on his journeyings, and turned to such good purpose that he had seen a great deal. In doing so, he had simply obeyed the laws of his nature, and we have good reason to believe that he was, to some extent, a fatalist, but of an orthodox school of fatalism withal, that led him to rely upon himself and even upon Providence. He claimed that he was impelled, rather than drawn by his own volition, to journey as he did, and that he traversed the world like the locomotive, which does not direct itself, but is guided and directed by the track it runs on. “I do not follow my route;” he often said, “it is my route that follows me.” The reader will not be surprised, then, at the calmness with which the doctor received the applause that welcomed him in the Royal Society. He was above all such trifles, having no pride, and less vanity. He looked upon the proposition addressed to him by Sir Francis M——as the simplest thing in the world, and scarcely noticed the immense effect that it produced. When the session closed, the doctor was escorted to the rooms of the Travellers’ Club, in Pall Mall. A superb entertainment had been prepared there in his honor. The dimensions of the dishes served were made to correspond with the importance of the personage entertained, and the boiled sturgeon that figured at this magnificent repast was not an inch shorter than Dr. Ferguson himself. Numerous toasts were offered and quaffed, in the wines of France, to the celebrated travellers who had made their names illustrious by their explorations of African territory. The guests drank to their health or to their memory, in alphabetical order, a good old English way of doing the thing. Among those remembered thus, were: Abbadie, Adams, Adamson, Anderson, Arnaud, Baikie, Baldwin, Barth, Batouda, Beke, Beltram, Du Berba, Bimbachi, Bolognesi, Bolwik, Belzoni, Bonnemain, Brisson, Browne, Bruce, Brun-Rollet, Burchell, Burckhardt, Burton, Cailland, Caillie, Campbell, Chapman, Clapperton, Clot-Bey, Colomieu, Courval, Cumming, Cuny, Debono, Decken, Denham, Desavanchers, Dicksen, Dickson, Dochard, Du Chaillu, Duncan, Durand, Duroule, Duveyrier, D’Escayrac, De Lauture, Erhardt, Ferret, Fresnel, Galinier, Galton, Geoffroy, Golberry, Hahn, Halm, Harnier, Hecquart, Heuglin, Hornemann, Houghton, Imbert, Kauffmann, Knoblecher, Krapf, Kummer, Lafargue, Laing, Lafaille, Lambert, Lamiral, Lampriere, John Lander, Richard Lander, Lefebvre, Lejean, Levaillant, Livingstone, MacCarthy, Maggiar, Maizan, Malzac, Moffat, Mollien, Monteiro, Morrison, Mungo Park, Neimans, Overweg, Panet, Partarrieau, Pascal, Pearse, Peddie, Penney, Petherick, Poncet, Prax, Raffenel, Rabh, Rebmann, Richardson, Riley, Ritchey, Rochet d’Hericourt, Rongawi, Roscher, Ruppel, Saugnier, Speke, Steidner, Thibaud, Thompson, Thornton, Toole, Tousny, Trotter, Tuckey, Tyrwhitt, Vaudey, Veyssière, Vincent, Vinco, Vogel, Wahlberg, Warrington, Washington, Werne, Wild, and last, but not least, Dr. Ferguson, who, by his incredible attempt, was to link together the achievements of all these explorers, and complete the series of African discovery. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Jules Verne (2002). Five Weeks in a Balloon. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved October 2022 https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/3526/pg3526-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

The End of a much-applauded Speech

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As technology continues to play a crucial role in the advancement of almost every field, it shouldn't be surprising to find education on the list. Educators across the globe are beginning to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the classroom at nearly every grade level. It shapes how we learn and teach, making the learning experience more engaging, personalized, and efficient. As a disclosure, this article includes links to my parent company BYJU'S - one of the world's foremost education technology companies that provides engaging and personalized learning programs to more than 150 million students worldwide. Investments in edtech worldwide hit a new high of $16.1 billion in 2020, with AI-powered edtech solutions ranking among the top investment targets, . Investors noted interest in AI-powered edtech solutions that can help personalize learning, automate administrative chores, and enhance student outcomes. according to a report by HolonIQ The impact, however, is more than just big business. With teachers working an average odf on top of the growing teacher shortage, 20 to 40 percent of current teacher hours (or nearly 13 hours per week) could be automated or streamlined using technology, . That means more time to support student learning and less time on paperwork. according to McKinsey & Company While the list of benefits of AI in education is long, here are three benefits with examples of how AI disrupts the way educators teach in the classroom. Personalized Learning Personalized learning has long been a foundational part of education. AI's power makes building and tailoring a learning experience for specific students' needs even more accessible. Data collected by educators can be fed into AI-powered platforms to help determine a student's learning requirements, such as learning pace, preferences, strengths, and weaknesses. Teachers can develop lesson plans and find resources. AI-powered platforms can provide students with personalized feedback, assisting them in identifying areas for development. An AI-powered platform can evaluate an individual student's performance on an assignment or test and provide real-time feedback to identify better areas where they may need to concentrate their studies more. This also facilitates better conversations with instructors or parents to identify other factors affecting their studies. By using machine learning and AI, the is diving deep into the learning needs of every individual student. Changing what is offered and updating recommendations is integral to customizing the learning process. Based on what is being taught in schools at a particular point, BYJU’S creates modules for specific concepts and topics to ensure students don’t feel limited while learning. So depending on how well a student can understand a concept or how he or she is faring in a subject, the recommendations will keep changing until a child can apply the concept and grasp the outcome. BYJU’S app Enhanced Learning Experience Technology has already transformed students' learning experiences through fun, educational gamified learning experiences. Students, for example, can learn to code by making or modifying their video games through platforms such as Tynker to create a more interactive and entertaining educational experience. Through the power of AI, these already engaging learning experiences can become more personalized by recommending additional resources based on a student's hobbies and learning style. If a student is interested in astronomy, an AI-powered platform can suggest other resources, such as articles, videos, or interactive simulations, to keep them motivated and involved. Another significant advantage of artificial intelligence in education technology is its ability to provide a more immersive learning experience. Different types of technology combined with artificial intelligence can give interactive simulations that enable students to experience real-world situations, such as a virtual field trip to a historical site or a science lab experiment. This immersive learning experience can help students comprehend complex concepts and make learning more memorable. Data-Driven Insights Teachers can obtain valuable insights into their student's learning behaviors using data. AI-powered platforms can provide teachers with more opportunities to evaluate a student's performance, learning habits, and interests to provide the best learning experience. This personalized strategy can help students overcome learning difficulties. Platforms with AI capabilities can also collect data on the efficiency of different teaching methods and techniques. By examining the information collected from various students, teachers can identify trends and patterns in their classes and make data-driven decisions about their instructional approaches. This data-driven strategy to education enables teachers to adapt lesson plans to meet their students' unique needs better, improving learning outcomes and academic performance. Examples of AI in the Classroom Although there isn't a robot in the room with the students, AI can be incorporated into the various tools and software teachers already use to create new possibilities for learning and growth. Some examples include: These AI-powered tools evaluate students' learning levels and customize classes to suit their needs. Some examples are Dreambox, Knewton, and Carnegie Learning. Adaptive Learning Platforms: These tools use AI to give students individualized feedback and direction as they work through issues and learn new material. Some examples are Carnegie Learning, ALEKS, and Knewton. Intelligent Tutoring Systems: These AI-powered assistants respond quickly to questions from students providing them with instant help and feedback. Examples of such tools include IBM Watson Assistant and Adaface. Virtual Learning Assistants: Chatbots such as ChatGPT can provide support outside of the classroom, such as answering questions about homework assignments, giving feedback on pronunciation and grammar, and even be programmed to help students learn a new language. Chatbots: NLP is used to study and understand human language, supporting the development of chatbots, voice assistants, and other AI-powered user interfaces that can have natural-language conversations with students. Some examples of NLP-powered tools are Duolingo, Grammarly, and LanguageTool. Natural Language Processing (NLP): Speech recognition technologies help assess students' pronunciation and fluency, providing them with feedback on how to improve. Some examples include Language Learning with Netflix, Rosetta Stone, and Google Speech Recognition. Speech Recognition: These AI-powered tools help teachers intervene and assist students as needed by analyzing student data and forecasting performance. Some examples of predictive analytics tools are Edmentum, BrightBytes, and Skyward. Predictive Analytics: Sentiment analysis tools examine the tone of student comments to gauge how satisfied they are with any individual learning experience. Some examples of sentiment analysis tools are IBM Watson, RapidMiner, and Alteryx. Sentiment Analysis: These tools analyze data from various sources to provide insights into student learning patterns, preferences, and behaviors. Some examples of learning analytics tools are Blackboard, Brightspace, and Canvas. Learning Analytics: Building and Learning with AI Student learning has significantly benefited from AI, but they can also learn how this technology works. Everything is becoming "smarter" these days, from smart TVs to even smart cars, so there are more chances for students to learn smarter while exploring potential new interests or future career paths. About the Author is the Chief Growth Officer of Tynker, with 20 years of experience helping startups grow into successful businesses. Lomit Patel Lomit has previously played a critical role in scaling growth at startups, including Roku (IPO), TrustedID (acquired by Equifax), Texture (acquired. by Apple), and IMVU (#2 top-grossing gaming app). Lomit is a public speaker, author, and advisor with numerous accolades and awards throughout his career, including being recognized as a Mobile Hero by Liftoff. Lomit's book is part of Eric Ries' best-selling "The Lean Startup" series. Lean AI

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The Wonderful Visit by H. G. Wells, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here . The Angel Explores the Village The Angel Explores the Village. XXIV. Very unwisely, as I think, the Vicar allowed the Angel to go down into the village by himself, to enlarge his ideas of humanity. Unwisely, because how was he to imagine the reception the Angel would receive? Not thoughtlessly, I am afraid. He had always carried himself with decorum in the village, and the idea of a slow procession through the little street with all the inevitable curious remarks, explanations, pointings, was too much for him. The Angel might do the strangest things, the village was certain to think them. Peering faces. "Who's he got now?" Besides, was it not his duty to prepare his sermon in good time? The Angel, duly directed, went down cheerfully by himself—still innocent of most of the peculiarities of the human as distinguished from the angelic turn of mind. The Angel walked slowly, his white hands folded behind his hunched back, his sweet face looking this way and that. He peered curiously into the eyes of the people he met. A little child picking a bunch of vetch and honeysuckle looked in his face, and forthwith came and put them in his hand. It was about the only kindness he had from a human being (saving only the Vicar and one other). He heard Mother Gustick scolding that granddaughter of hers as he passed the door. "You Brazen Faggit—you!" said Mother Gustick. "You Trumpery Baggage!" The Angel stopped, startled at the strange sounds of Mother Gustick's voice. "Put yer best clo'es on, and yer feather in yer 'at, and off you goes to meet en, fal lal, and me at 'ome slaving for ye. 'Tis a Fancy Lady you'll be wantin' to be, my gal, a walkin' Touch and Go, with yer idleness and finery——" The voice ceased abruptly, and a great peace came upon the battered air. "Most grotesque and strange!" said the Angel, still surveying this wonderful box of discords. "Walking Touch and Go!" He did not know that Mrs Gustick had suddenly become aware of his existence, and was scrutinizing his appearance through the window-blind. Abruptly the door flew open, and she stared out into the Angel's face. A strange apparition, grey and dusty hair, and the dirty pink dress unhooked to show the stringy throat, a discoloured gargoyle, presently to begin spouting incomprehensible abuse. "Now, then, Mister," began Mrs Gustick. "Have ye nothin' better to do than listen at people's doors for what you can pick up?" The Angel stared at her in astonishment. "D'year!" said Mrs Gustick, evidently very angry indeed. "Listenin'." "Have you any objection to my hearing...." "Object to my hearing! Course I have! Whad yer think? You aint such a Ninny...." "But if ye didn't want me to hear, why did you cry out so loud? I thought...." "You thought! Softie—that's what you are! You silly girt staring Gaby, what don't know any better than to come holding yer girt mouth wide open for all that you can catch holt on? And then off up there to tell! You great Fat-Faced, Tale-Bearin' Silly-Billy! I'd be ashamed to come poking and peering round quiet people's houses...." The Angel was surprised to find that some inexplicable quality in her voice excited the most disagreeable sensations in him and a strong desire to withdraw. But, resisting this, he stood listening politely (as the custom is in the Angelic Land, so long as anyone is speaking). The entire eruption was beyond his comprehension. He could not perceive any reason for the sudden projection of this vituperative head, out of infinity, so to speak. And questions without a break for an answer were outside his experience altogether. Mrs Gustick proceeded with her characteristic fluency, assured him he was no gentleman, enquired if he called himself one, remarked that every tramp did as much nowadays, compared him to a Stuck Pig, marvelled at his impudence, asked him if he wasn't ashamed of himself standing there, enquired if he was rooted to the ground, was curious to be told what he meant by it, wanted to know whether he robbed a scarecrow for his clothes, suggested that an abnormal vanity prompted his behaviour, enquired if his mother knew he was out, and finally remarking, "I got somethin'll move you, my gentleman," disappeared with a ferocious slamming of the door. The interval struck the Angel as singularly peaceful. His whirling mind had time to analyse his sensations. He ceased bowing and smiling, and stood merely astonished. "This is a curious painful feeling," said the Angel. "Almost worse than Hungry, and quite different. When one is hungry one wants to eat. I suppose she was a woman. Here one wants to get away. I suppose I might just as well go." He turned slowly and went down the road meditating. He heard the cottage door re-open, and turning his head, saw through intervening scarlet runners Mrs Gustick with a steaming saucepan full of boiling cabbage water in her hand. "'Tis well you went, Mister Stolen Breeches," came the voice of Mrs Gustick floating down through the vermilion blossoms. "Don't you come peeping and prying round this yer cottage again or I'll learn ye manners, I will!" The Angel stood in a state of considerable perplexity. He had no desire to come within earshot of the cottage again—ever. He did not understand the precise import of the black pot, but his general impression was entirely disagreeable. There was no explaining it. "I mean it!" said Mrs Gustick, crescendo. "Drat it!—I mean it." The Angel turned and went on, a dazzled look in his eyes. "She was very grotesque!" said the Angel. "Very. Much more than the little man in black. And she means it.—— But what she means I don't know!..." He became silent. "I suppose they all mean something,", he said, presently, still perplexed. XXV. Then the Angel came in sight of the forge, where Sandy Bright's brother was shoeing a horse for the carter from Upmorton. Two hobbledehoys were standing by the forge staring in a bovine way at the proceedings. As the Angel approached these two and then the carter turned slowly through an angle of thirty degrees and watched his approach, staring quietly and steadily at him. The expression on their faces was one of abstract interest. The Angel became self-conscious for the first time in his life. He drew nearer, trying to maintain an amiable expression on his face, an expression that beat in vain against their granitic stare. His hands were behind him. He smiled pleasantly, looking curiously at the (to him) incomprehensible employment of the smith. But the battery of eyes seemed to angle for his regard. Trying to meet the three pairs at once, the Angel lost his alertness and stumbled over a stone. One of the yokels gave a sarcastic cough, and was immediately covered with confusion at the Angel's enquiring gaze, nudging his companion with his elbow to cover his disorder. None spoke, and the Angel did not speak. So soon as the Angel had passed, one of the three hummed this tune in an aggressive tone. Then all three of them laughed. One tried to sing something and found his throat contained phlegm. The Angel proceeded on his way. "Who's e then?" said the second hobbledehoy. "Ping, ping, ping," went the blacksmith's hammer. "Spose he's one of these here foweners," said the carter from Upmorton. "Däamned silly fool he do look to be sure." "Tas the way with them foweners," said the first hobbledehoy sagely. "Got something very like the 'ump," said the carter from Upmorton. "Dää-ä-ämned if 'E ent. Then the silence healed again, and they resumed their quiet expressionless consideration of the Angel's retreating figure. "Very like the 'ump et is," said the carter after an enormous pause XXVI. The Angel went on through the village, finding it all wonderful enough. "They begin, and just a little while and then they end," he said to himself in a puzzled voice. "But what are they doing meanwhile?" Once he heard some invisible mouth chant inaudible words to the tune the man at the forge had hummed. "That's the poor creature the Vicar shot with that great gun of his," said Sarah Glue (of 1, Church Cottages) peering over the blind. "He looks Frenchified," said Susan Hopper, peering through the interstices of that convenient veil on curiosity. "He has sweet eyes," said Sarah Glue, who had met them for a moment. The Angel sauntered on. The postman passed him and touched his hat to him; further down was a dog asleep in the sun. He went on and saw Mendham, who nodded distantly and hurried past. (The Curate did not care to be seen talking to an angel in the village, until more was known about him). There came from one of the houses the sound of a child screaming in a passion, that brought a puzzled look to the angelic face. Then the Angel reached the bridge below the last of the houses, and stood leaning over the parapet watching the glittering little cascade from the mill. "They begin, and just a little while, and then they end," said the weir from the mill. The water raced under the bridge, green and dark, and streaked with foam. Beyond the mill rose the square tower of the church, with the churchyard behind it, a spray of tombstones and wooden headboards splashed up the hillside. A half dozen of beech trees framed the picture. Then the Angel heard a shuffling of feet and the gride of wheels behind him, and turning his head saw a man dressed in dirty brown rags and a felt hat grey with dust, who was standing with a slight swaying motion and fixedly regarding the Angelic back. Beyond him was another almost equally dirty, pushing a knife grinder's barrow over the bridge. "Mornin'," said the first person smiling weakly. "Goomorn'." He arrested an escaping hiccough. The Angel stared at him. He had never seen a really fatuous smile before. "Who are you?" said the Angel. The fatuous smile faded. "No your business whoaaam. Wishergoomorn." "Carm on:" said the man with the grindstone, passing on his way. "Wishergoomorn," said the dirty man, in a tone of extreme aggravation. "Carncher Answerme?" "Carm on you fool!" said the man with the grindstone—receding. "I don't understand," said the Angel. "Donunderstan'. Sim'l enough. Wishergoomorn'. Willyanswerme? Wontchr? gemwishergem goomorn. Cusom answer goomorn. No gem. Haverteachyer." The Angel was puzzled. The drunken man stood swaying for a moment, then he made an unsteady snatch at his hat and threw it down at the Angel's feet. "Ver well," he said, as one who decides great issues. "Carm on!" said the voice of the man with the grindstone—stopping perhaps twenty yards off. "You wan fight, you ——" the Angel failed to catch the word. "I'll show yer, not answer gem's goomorn." He began to struggle with his jacket. "Think I'm drun," he said, "I show yer." The man with the grindstone sat down on the shaft to watch. "Carm on," he said. The jacket was intricate, and the drunken man began to struggle about the road, in his attempts to extricate himself, breathing threatenings and slaughter. Slowly the Angel began to suspect, remotely enough, that these demonstrations were hostile. "Mur wun know yer when I done wi' yer," said the drunken man, coat almost over his head. At last the garment lay on the ground, and through the frequent interstices of his reminiscences of a waistcoat, the drunken tinker displayed a fine hairy and muscular body to the Angel's observant eyes. He squared up in masterly fashion. "Take the paint off yer," he remarked, advancing and receding, fists up and elbows out. "Carm on," floated down the road. The Angel's attention was concentrated on two huge hairy black fists, that swayed and advanced and retreated. "Come on d'yer say? I'll show yer," said the gentleman in rags, and then with extraordinary ferocity; "My crikey! I'll show yer." Suddenly he lurched forward, and with a newborn instinct and raising a defensive arm as he did so, the Angel stepped aside to avoid him. The fist missed the Angelic shoulder by a hairsbreadth, and the tinker collapsed in a heap with his face against the parapet of the bridge. The Angel hesitated over the writhing dusty heap of blasphemy for a moment, and then turned towards the man's companion up the road. "Lemmeget up," said the man on the bridge: "Lemmeget up, you swine. I'll show yer." A strange disgust, a quivering repulsion came upon the Angel. He walked slowly away from the drunkard towards the man with the grindstone. "What does it all mean?" said the Angel. "I don't understand it." "Dam fool!... say's it's 'is silver weddin'," answered the man with the grindstone, evidently much annoyed; and then, in a tone of growing impatience, he called down the road once more; "Carm on!" "Silver wedding!" said the Angel. "What is a silver wedding?" "Jest is rot," said the man on the barrow. "But 'E's always avin' some 'scuse like that. Fair sickenin it is. Lars week it wus 'is bloomin' birthday, and then 'e ad'nt ardly got sober orf a comlimentary drunk to my noo barrer. (Carm on, you fool.)" "But I don't understand," said the Angel. "Why does he sway about so? Why does he keep on trying to pick up his hat like that—and missing it?" "Why!" said the tinker. "Well this is a blasted innocent country! Why! Because 'E's blind! Wot else? (Carm on—Dam yer). Because 'E's just as full as 'E can 'old. That's why!" The Angel noticing the tone of the second tinker's voice, judged it wiser not to question him further. But he stood by the grindstone and continued to watch the mysterious evolutions on the bridge. "Carm on! I shall 'ave to go and pick up that 'at I suppose.... 'E's always at it. I ne'er 'ad such a blooming pard before. Always at it, 'e is." The man with the barrow meditated. "Taint as if 'e was a gentleman and 'adnt no livin' to get. An' 'e's such a reckless fool when 'e gets a bit on. Goes offerin out everyone 'e meets. (There you go!) I'm blessed if 'e didn't offer out a 'ole bloomin' Salvation Army. No judgment in it. (Oh! Carm on! Carm on!). 'Ave to go and pick this bloomin' 'at up now I s'pose. 'E don't care, wot trouble 'e gives." The Angel watched the second tinker walk back, and, with affectionate blasphemy, assist the first to his hat and his coat. Then he turned, absolutely mystified, towards the village again. XXVII. After that incident the Angel walked along past the mill and round behind the church, to examine the tombstones. "This seems to be the place where they put the broken pieces," said the Angel—reading the inscriptions. "Curious word—relict! Resurgam! Then they are not done with quite. What a huge pile it requires to keep her down.... It is spirited of her." "Hawkins?" said the Angel softly,.... "Hawkins? The name is strange to me.... He did not die then.... It is plain enough,—Joined the Angelic Hosts, May 17, 1863. He must have felt as much out of place as I do down here. But I wonder why they put that little pot thing on the top of this monument. Curious! There are several others about—little stone pots with a rag of stiff stone drapery over them." Just then the boys came pouring out of the National School, and first one and then several stopped agape at the Angel's crooked black figure among the white tombs. "Ent 'e gart a bääk on en!" remarked one critic. "'E's got 'air like a girl!" said another. The Angel turned towards them. He was struck by the queer little heads sticking up over the lichenous wall. He smiled faintly at their staring faces, and then turned to marvel at the iron railings that enclosed the Fitz-Jarvis tomb. "A queer air of uncertainty," he said. "Slabs, piles of stone, these railings.... Are they afraid?... Do these Dead ever try and get up again? There's an air of repression—fortification——" "Gét yer 'air cut, Gét yer 'air cut," sang three little boys together. "Curious these Human Beings are!" said the Angel. "That man yesterday wanted to cut off my wings, now these little creatures want me to cut off my hair! And the man on the bridge offered to take the 'paint' off me. They will leave nothing of me soon." "Where did you get that 'at?" sang another little boy. "Where did you get them clo'es?" "They ask questions that they evidently do not want answered," said the Angel. "I can tell from the tone." He looked thoughtfully at the little boys. "I don't understand the methods of Human intercourse. These are probably friendly advances, a kind of ritual. But I don't know the responses. I think I will go back to the little fat man in black, with the gold chain across his stomach, and ask him to explain. It is difficult." He turned towards the lych gate. "Oh!" said one of the little boys, in a shrill falsetto, and threw a beech-nut husk. It came bounding across the churchyard path. The Angel stopped in surprise. This made all the little boys laugh. A second imitating the first, said "Oh!" and hit the Angel. His astonishment was really delicious. They all began crying "Oh!" and throwing beechnut husks. One hit the Angel's hand, another stung him smartly by the ear. The Angel made ungainly movements towards them. He spluttered some expostulation and made for the roadway. The little boys were amazed and shocked at his discomfiture and cowardice. Such sawney behaviour could not be encouraged. The pelting grew vigorously. You may perhaps be able to imagine those vivid moments, daring small boys running in close and delivering shots, milder small boys rushing round behind with flying discharges. Milton Screever's mongrel dog was roused to yelping ecstacy at the sight, and danced (full of wild imaginings) nearer and nearer to the angelic legs. "Hi, hi!" said a vigorous voice. "I never did! Where's Mr Jarvis? Manners, manners! you young rascals." The youngsters scattered right and left, some over the wall into the playground, some down the street. "Frightful pest these boys are getting!" said Crump, coming up. "I'm sorry they have been annoying you." The Angel seemed quite upset. "I don't understand," he said. "These Human ways...." "Yes, of course. Unusual to you. How's your excrescence?" "My what?" said the Angel. "Bifid limb, you know. How is it? Now you're down this way, come in. Come in and let me have a look at it again. You young roughs! And meanwhile these little louts of ours will be getting off home. They're all alike in these villages. Can't understand anything abnormal. See an odd-looking stranger. Chuck a stone. No imagination beyond the parish.... (I'll give you physic if I catch you annoying strangers again.) ... I suppose it's what one might expect.... Come along this way." So the Angel, horribly perplexed still, was hurried into the surgery to have his wound re-dressed. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. H. G. Wells (2010). The Wonderful Visit. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved October 2022, from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/33913/33913-h/33913-h.htm This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org , located at https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html .

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