The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-06-06

DELiVKRED ON THE NINETEENTH INSTANT,
AT THE MEETING OF THE MANurAcrv.
RERs AND MECHANICS OF pH1LApELpu1A
BY DR.. ADAM SEYBERT.
::::::::::::::::
FELLow-CIrIzsss,
] SHOULD derive infinite plea.
sure and satisfaction, if at this meeting, could
trace tor your view, correct and detaiief b;sto
ry of the origin and progress ofthe Arts and No
nIfdctures in'the United States A task like this,
would be gratifying to me, because should be
enabled, thereby, to pay tribute deservedYy dye.
to many four industrious and ingenious citizens.
have to regret, that the short notice of this ho
norabie duty being assigned to me-tle extent of
the enquiry-the numerous andimportant objects
embraced therein-but, above all, the pery o., >.
ed knowledge, which possess on these subjects.
are difficulties which Icannot surmount. V;,,
therefore, only attempt to sketch general oytiin
winch may hereafter be shaded and perfected.
ny uiose who are more familiar and conversant,
win tbese OBJECTS Of national Importance.
MY remarks will be introduced, without any
regard to systematic arrangement. The facts.
winch VIII state, IN general, bear no reference
TO time or place. Their Importance will be tes
ted, by your experience and Judgment
Numerous circumstances tend to convince MS
'nat tne arts were the consequences of the ne
cessides OF mankind, and their discovery NAV
L
man race increased in numbers some Of them
were found necessary to obtain the various arti-
ces OF food Others had their share in osrinu,
these and fitting them for the body; and soma.
were instituted to form the clothing, however
SIMPLE 1T may have been. AS society progressed.
'he ar.s ALREADY established, were succeeded by
! a new series. which resulted from imitation and
curiosity. Even chance had its share i'm this res
pect. These arts were followed by those of COLI
Vemencc and luxury, which has been considera
niy augmented, byt the assduty of research and
the exercise of the genius of all nations.
Inc progress OF information is always the fruit
OF slew and painful experiment as respects the
arts, this has been very gradual. Many cent,,.
ries nave elapsed, without bringing some of them
10 state Ut apparent perfection In this country.
they may generally be considered as still in their
, infancy.
IL is time to do away that arbitrary distinction,
winch separates the arts into liberal and mocha
'hea. Inns division, made in the dark ages of
superstition and tyranny, is founded on false pride
ana in-coneeived prejudice. maintain, there is
no arr whatever, which has not certain fixed prin
cipies to regulate and improve its practice.
NO one Should content himself, by merely ex-
ecuting and reducing to practice, the rules which
science has suggested-we should reason and en-.
ter the field OF speculation thereby OH. nurs,;,.
VIII he varied and improved. Let us adopt this
fundamental truth, that, there is an intimate eou
neeton Oefreen all the arts, and that they all form
important links, to constitute the chain of human
requirements. This doctrine will teach us the
NECESSITY and utility OF free and social inter
course between artists ofevery description, which
Ultimately tends to the perfection ofevery branch
OF useful knowledge. An M-founded ;eaLousy is
TOO prevalent amongst artists This, TO be latd
noie, should consist only in proper spirit of am.
Dition, to riUnl each other in the berfcr,ion of
tn ei art BY such conduct, we Contribute to
aiIllse that species acknowledge, which calls in.
70 action the industry Of people, and it is that a.
lone, which can be considered as the true source
OF the riches of the state
we need not dread the INCREASING number of
art'sts and manufacturers. The more numerous.
.ne more VIII there be who reflect to combine and
i'"aSi'ic new means to raise them above the esti-
nation ot their fellow artists-in this way. will
new machines be invented, and the best maninu
ny IONS De Observation-Disclosures will arise saving
Oh time, the price of labor will be lessened. and
industry will be sugmented-n no country arc
ehese circumstances gilmore consequence than i'm
our own. -
n want OF education, and the prevalence of nu-
o r. t'~'iseS' tend much 40 retard the pro-
80 VI tpe arts and nsGarfactBycS. do not
1917 shaii De understood, that every artist or
manufacturer should have received what ;s tor
neo aH6eral education. only intend to convey
VIC 'aea' that he should be enabled to study the
''",'iefous publications., in the language most H.
sea ~ tins country, which treat of the objects of
nus occupation II would be of infinite advantage
70 many artists TO be somewhat acquainted with
aafnrai history. WIZ"
f.ducafon enables the artist to have intercourse
WIN tHe world Thereby he will be furnished
WIN the improvements of all other nations. T..
very artist should be acquainted with the princi |
PIES upon which his art depends.
F'*es and Gefeynsined brinei6ie,, which can on. |
y be acquired by a well directed system of edu- |
;auol,, can alone enlighten and improve the prac
zee OF the artist and manufacturer and that kind
u knowledge which is founded on matter offact, |
alone OF value to u.s.
he uncertainty ofmany ofthe o6fpdtions which
re performed in manufactures, may be attribu.
eSt 10 the want of knowledge of those oyiaci-
1s winch form the true basis Of the arts upou /
yhicii they depend; an intelligent writerbas well
ccserVed, study more Intimately the PRINCIPLES
your art, and you viii be able to foyesee. to +,
'ea, ,ci ana to calculate every effect"
hubsugh mere random genius has made az
'n'ssing discoveries and improvements without
ny a'd, but ofnstive sagacity," it must be obyi-
US mat much more might have been done, If as.
sted by extensive knowledge, and a more Hbe.
. edHeafon. The improvements of the arts &
fences depend much upon the situation, the
Ierfs snd the indusfy Of man, for he, who in ci
nSed ne, made many of the most brilliant dis. /,
'vei1es IN natural philosophy, would be but sa.
'se, u fortune had committed him TO the z,iEde,.
81, without the opportunities which Sseiol Ifs
fs