other pursuits and occupations, and show the foundations, which exist in our very nature, for a cordial union between them all.

These objects recommend themselves strongly and obviously to general approbation. While the cultivation of the mind, in its more general sense, and in connection with morals, is as important to the mechanics as to any other class of the community; nothing is plainer than that those whose livelihood depends on the skilful practice of the arts, ought to be instructed, as far as possible, in the scientific principles and natural laws, on which the arts are founded. This is necessary, in order that the arts themselves should be pursued to the greatest advantage; that popular errors should be eradicated; that every accidental improvement in the processes of industry, which offers itself, should be readily taken up and pursued to its principle; that false notions, leading to waste of time and labor, should be prevented from gaining or retaining currency; in short, that the useful, like the ornamental arts of life, should be carried to the point of attainable perfection.

The history of the progress of the human mind shows us, that, for want of a diffusion of scientific knowledge among practical men, great evils have resulted both to science and practice. Before the invention of the art of printing, the means of acquiring and circulating knowledge were few and ineffectual. The philosopher was, in consequence, exclusively a man of study, who, by living in a monastie seclusion, and by delving into the few books which time had spared,―particularly the works of Aristotle and his commentators,--succeeded in mastering the learning of the day:

learning mostly of an abstract and metaphysical nature. Thus, living in a world not of practice, but speculation, never bringing his theories to the test of observation, all his studies assumed a visionary charaeter. Hence the projects for the transmutation of metals; a notion not originating in any observation of the qualities of the different kinds of metals, but in reasoning, a priori, on their supposed identity of substance. So deep-rooted was this delusion, that a great part of the natural science of the middle ages consisted in projects to convert the baser metals into gold. It is plain that such a project would no more have been countenanced by intelligent, well informed persons, practically conversant with the nature of the metals, than a project to transmute pine into oak, or fish into flesh.

In like manner, by giving science wholly up to the philosophers, and making the practical arts of life merely a matter of traditionary repetition from one generation to another of uninformed artisans, much evil of an opposite kind was occasioned. Accident, of course, could be the only source of improvement; and for want of acquaintance with the leading principles of mechanical philosophy, the chances were indefinitely multiplied against these accidental improvements. For want of the diffusion of information among practical men, the improvements prevailing in an art in one place were unknown in other places; and processes existing at one period were liable to be forgotten in the lapse of time. Secrets and mysteries, easily kept in such a state of things, and cherished as a source of monopoly by those who possessed them, were so common, that mystery is still occasionally used as synonymous with trade. This also contributed

to the loss of arts once brought to perfection, such as that of staining glass, as practised in the middle ages. Complicated machinery was out of the question; for it requires, for its invention and improvement, the union of scientific knowledge and practical skill. The mariner was therefore left to creep along the coast, while the astronomer was casting nativities; and the miner was reduced to the most laborious and purely mechanical processes, to extract the precious metals from the ores that really contained them, while the chemist, who ought to have taught him the method of amalgamation, could find no use for mercury, but as a menstruum by which baser metals could be turned into gold.

At the present day, this state of things is certainly changed. A variety of popular treatises and works of reference have made the great principles of natural science generally accessible. It certainly is in the power of almost every one, by pains and time properly bestowed, to acquire a decent knowledge of every branch of practical philosophy. But still it would appear, that, even now, this part of education is not on the right footing. Generally speaking, even now, all actual instruction in the principles of natural science is confined to the colleges; and the colleges are, for the most part, frequented only by those intended for professiona! life. The elementary knowledge of science, which is communicated at the colleges, is indeed useful in any and every calling; but it does not seem a proper arrangement, that none but those intended for the pulpit, the bar, or the profession of medicine, should receive instruction in those principles, which regulate the operation of the mechanical pow

ers, and lie at the foundation of complicated machinery; which relate to the navigation of the seas, the smelting and refining of metals, the composition and improvement of soils, the reduction to a uniform whiteness of the vegetable fibre, the mixture and application of colors, the motion and pressure of fluids in large masses, the nature of light and heat, the laws of magnetism, electricity and galvanism. It would seem that this kind of knowledge was more immediately requisite for those who are to construct or make use of labor-saving machinery, who are to navigate the ocean, to lay out and direct the excavation of canals, to build steam-engines and hydraulic presses, to work mines, and to conduct large agricultural and manufacturing establishments. Hitherto, with some partial exceptions, little has been done to afford to those engaged in these pursuits that knowledge, which, however convenient to others, would seem essential to them. There has been scarce any thing, which could be called education for practical life; and those persons, who, in the pursuit of any of the useful arts, have signalized themselves by the application of scientific principles for the invention of new processes or the improvement of the old, have been selfeducated men.

I am aware that it is often objected, that the greatest discoveries and inventions have been either the production of such self-educated men, or have been struck out by acci-. dent. There certainly is some truth in this. So long as no regular system of scientific education for the working classes exists, it is a matter of necessity, that, if any great improvement be made, it must be either the result of accident the happy thought of some powerful native genius, which

Qr

forces its way, without education, to the most astonishing results. This, however, is no more the case with respect to the useful arts and the mechanical pursuits, than with respect to all the other occupations of society; and it would continue to be the case after the establishment of the best system of scientific education. We find, in every pursuit and calling, some instances of remarkable men, who, without an early education adapted to the object, have raised themselves to great eminence. Lord Chancellor King, in England, was a grocer at that period of life which is commonly spent in academical study, by those destined for the profession of the law. Chief Justice Pratt, of New York, having been brought up a carpenter, was led by a severe cut from an axe, which unfitted him for work, to turn his attention to the law. Franklin, who seemed equally to excel in the conduct of the business of life, in the sublimest studies of philosophy, and in the management of the most difficult state affairs, was bred a printer.—All these callings are quite respectable, but no one would think of choosing either of them as the school of the lawyer, judge, or statesman. The fact that the native power of genius sometimes forces its way against all obstacles, and under every discouragement, proves nothing as to the course which it is expedient for the generality of men to pursue. The safe path to excellence and success, in every calling, is that of appropriate preliminary education, diligent application to learn the art, and assiduity in practising it. And I can perceive no reason why this course should not be followed in reference to the mechanical, as well as the professional callings. The instances of eminent men like those named, and many others that might be, such as Arkwright