Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-09-10
THE MECHANIC.


If the dignity Of things raay be measured by
their importance to mankind, there is nothing
perhaps, which can rank above the meche mic
arts. In fact they may be called the lever, the
fulcrum, and the power which move the world
They do not want the whereon to stand" Of
Archmedes; they have a sufficient foundation
| in themselves.
What gives to civil nations their superiority
over the savage! 1t is chiefly mechanic arts
| by them the beautiful and convenient mansion
| is substituted for the rude and uncomfort a BILE
hut; and scarlet and fine twined linen" sup
| ply the wardrobe, in place Of the skins Of wild
! animals. They are the foundation Of nearly all
the Improvements and comforts of life, and
further, we may say, Of the glory, and the gran
deur OF the world BY them the farmer ploughs
the land, and by them the mariner ploughs the
ocean; by them the monarch is adorned with
his crown, and by them the peasant is clad in
comfortable garments; by them the triumphal
arcls is raised to the hero, and by them the
temple ascends to the Deity; by them the
wealthy roll in charots and Toll on couches;
by them the table is spread The bed is decked,
and the parlor is furnished. To them The poet
owes the perpetuation of his fame. Homer
sings and Cesar trumphs in all ages. Through
them we are instructed by the wisdom of Pla-
to, and charmed by The eloquence Of Cicero;
through them we admire the Justice Of Aristi.
des, and the heroism OF Leonidas.
And much of this is owing to two single arts,
that Of printing, aud the manufacture Of paper.
BY the former, learning has been rescued from
the gloom Of the dark ages; but without the
latter, the benefit of the printing would be cir
cumscrbed TO very narrow bounds. 1t is by
means Of the press, chiefly, that so much Of
chrstendom owes its escape from the TIN aldom
of superstition.
But in speaking ofthe dignity ofthe me n
ic arts, we could not confne them TO the mere
hand that executes, without thinking Of the
head that plans; for'whout the latter but little
more credit would be due to the person who
exercises these arts than 10 the au,oma ton
Turk, who mechanically astonishcs the world
at the game of chess. To produce tho great
effects, we have mentioned above, to do so
much TO enlghten,'o beauIfy and improve the
world, TO labor for the glory and ha ppness of
others, and yet be ignorant of the springs by
which the importan, movements are carried
on, would i'll comport with the dignity of the
me chano. lie would be, ("if we may COM
pare small things with great.') warmth, and
comfort Of mank Ind, without .,se,f being con-
sc Gus thereof.
There is q philanthropy in the mechanic arts.
The mechanic who brings 10 his occupation an
inventive. enlightened, and inQuirng mind, who
is master Of bis craft, in theory, as well os in
practice, has more Of real philosophy in him
than twenty Of those minute philosophers who
spend their lives in puzzling tie world with
empty metaphysical speculations, and of whom
Cicero speaks with so much deserved con-
tempt. The mechanic who perfectly under
stands his trade, as well in the principles as
the practice Of it, gets himself degree of no
considerable rank and honor, and that without
the Intervention of college, or the formal
vote Of a learned corporation. To become
ingenious and enlightened mechanic, it is nee
essary that the youth who is destined for a
trade, should bring to his employment, mind
inquislive, sudious, busy, and inclined 10 me-
cbanic pursuits. Such mind, with ordinary
attention to its cultivation, can scarcely fail Of
becoming in n very considerable degree en-
lightened. But to the common sources Of in
formation, good many mechanics add a very
laudable attention to books, 10 the periodical
publications of the day. and TO the associations
for mutual improvement. Mechanics and ap-
prentices' Libraries are established, and me-
chanics' societies are formed, which, by in
ducing siudious habits, interchange of ideas,
and collision of sentiments, must tend to I'M
prove the minds Of the members in n high de-
gree. There is, in fact, at the present time,
very large share Of information and solid prac-
tical knowledge among the mechanics of this
country.
The life Of the me echanic, it is true, is a life
Of labor; and while he wipes the sweat from
his brow, he may perhaps murmur at his fate,
and envy what he considers the easy lot of
other professions. Blu, where is the business
which exempts man from life of labor' -
The life OF Judge, and of the first officer un-
der government, is a life of labor. But can
these A" honorable men, build a ship, or raise |
spire TO heaven, or exercise all or ally Of the
arts which add so much to the comfort and |
grandeur of the world! Thcae the mechanic
can do; aud if he duly reflect on the impor-
tancc Of his labors, he can scarcely repine at
his lot.