The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-02-05
COMMUNICATION.

Mr.. SHIRLEY,
Having been frequently asked. respecting the drsrn
Of the Gardre, Iajceur,, which las inst becn rcnr.
porated by the Legislature Of this State. wish 10 an.
SWer the question through tho medium Of your papar
Ihe object, as stated in the petition to the Legisa-
tnre' Is TO establish in the of Gardiner school
Tor teaching mathematics, mechanics NAVIGATION. and
those branches Of natural philosophy and chemistry.
which arc calculated to make scientific farmers and
sktul mechanics" The utility Of the scheme mpst
DC apparent 10 any one, who will bestow upon il mo-
ments reflection. And though its novelty NAV, co,,o
some difficulty in carving il into successful operaton
Fet MINK there viii be none, that intelligent in
structor will not readily surmount The plan is not Of
course yet digesed but notion of it NAV be form
ed from the following brief sLetchs
good common school education, which implies a
knowledge OF arithmetic far as compound propor-
uon VIII be considered as an Indispensable requisite
Tor admission. All, who enter will be instructed in
the other parts OF arithmetic in algebra as far as SIM
pie equation; ia geometry and trigonometry and in
bookkeeping by single, or BY double entry. Those.
VINO have acquired this knowledge, will he divided in
to classes TO he designated from the various branches
OF natural science; and each student will be placed in
that class which will best qualify him for his future
pursuits in life For instance these who are DESIGNED
Tor clohicrs tanners, 8. will be placed in tn. chem
stry class and this science necessary 70 rive tho
knowledge Of the principles Of fertility and sterty IN
he various kinds Of SOIL and the best means Of impro
wing them the farmer will be ARRANGED in the same
CLASS Some, as the mill-wright, who must be equally
conversant with hydosatics as well as mechanics will
have 10 pass through more than enc class-and am
one who chooses t. will be allowed 90 through the
whole. They will tsen be taught tho application Of
the knowledge thus acquired TO the particular arts
which they intend TO pursue. This will complete the
course of instruction. But part Of one day in every
week, will be devoted tcac Z the PRINCIPLES Of nat
ura religion and the evidences Of the truth Of car;,
tianty.
Whrn it is considered how many Of orr comforts. &
how much the value Of our property depend upon the
skill Of our mechanics what vast sums NAV be- saved
or wasted. according we employ scientific or iyAo-
rant artizans in the construction of our mills dams e.
machinery the utility Of the establishment can scarce.
y DC too highly estimated
consider tie location fortunate for tic reasons sta
ted N the petition that il is centralj in a popuous
neighborhood; in fertile country, where provisions
are abundant and cheap; where commerce is con,nu-
ally extending and in town possessing uncommonlv
fine mill seats and very rapidly increasing in popula.
ton
Large funds viii not be necessary to carry this OBJ
jeci into operation. portion of them is already Sc
cured The requisite buildings will be erected either
with krick or stone, the ensuing season. A reliance
is placed dh the beraty Of the Legislature that they
will al their next session, grant sufficient sum for the
purchase of instruments and Whatever else may he ab-
soiutely necessary the success Of the institution.
Portland, Ft5 l. 1922. q