Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-08-26
THE MECHANIC.

THE MECHANIC.
If the dignity of things may be measured by
their importance 10 mankind, there IS nothing,
perhaps, which can rank above the Mechanic
Arts. In fact, they may be called the lever, the
fulcrum, and the power, which moves the world.
They do not want the "whereon to stand" OF
Archimedes; thew have sufficient foundation
in themselves.
What gives 10 civil nations their superiority
over the savage? II is chiefly mechanic arts.
By them the BEAUTIFUL add convenient mansion
is substituted for the rude and uncomfortable
hut; and "scarlet and fine ,wined linen" supply
the wardrobe, in place Of the skins OF wild AM.
mails. They are the foundation OF nearly all
the improvement and comforts OF life, and fur
Their, we may say, of the glory and the gram
deur Of the world. BY hem the farmer ploushs
the land, and by them the mariner ploughs the
ocean: by them the monarch is adorned with
his crown, and by them the peasan, Is clad in
comfortable garments; by them the triumphal
arch is raised TO the hero, and BY them the
temple ascends 10 the Deity; by them the veal.
thy roll in chariots and Ioll on couches; by
:hem the table is spread, the bed is decked, and
the pariour is furnished. To them the poe,
owes the perperuation of his fame. Homer
them we are instructed by the wisdom of Plato,
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 10 two single arts,
that Of printing, and 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 printing would be Cir
cumseribed to very narrow bounds. 1t is by
means of the press, chiefly, that so much OF
Chrisrendom owes its escape from the thral-
dom OF superstition.
Blu, in speaking of the dignity of the mocha
mic arts, we could not conhne them 10 the mere
hand that executes, without thinking of the
head thar plans; for without The latter but little
more credit would be due to The person who
| exercises these arts Than TO The automaton
Turk, who mechanically astonishes the world
al the game OF chess. To produce the great
effects we have mentioned above, to do so much
to enlieh,en, 10 beaulify and improve the world,
to labor for The glory and happiness of others,
and ye, be ignorant Of the springs by which
the important movements are Carried on, would
i'll comport with the dignity Of the mechanic.
He would be Gift We may compare small things
with great,") like the sun IN the Heavens,
which renders light and warmth, and comfort
TO mankind, without itself being conscious
thereof
There is philanthropy in the mechanic arts.
The mechanic who brings 10 his occupation an
Inventive, enlightened and inquiring mind, who
is master of his craft, in theory well IS in
practice, has more of real philosophy in him
than twenty OF those minute philosophers who
spend their lives in puzz'ing the world with
empty metaphysical speculations, and of whom
Cicero speaks with SO much deserved contempt.
The mechanic who perfectly understands his
trade, as we'll IN the principles as the practice
OF II, gets himself degree of no inconsiderabla
rank aud honor, and that without The interven.
tentlon Of a college, or the formal vote Of a
learned corporation. To become an ingenious
and enlightened mechanic, ii is necessary that
the youth who is destined for a trade, should
bring TO his employment mind inquisitive,
studious, busy, and inclined 10 mechanic pur>
suits. Such mind, with ordinary attention to
its cultivation, can scarcely fail Of becoming,
in a very considerable degree, enlightened
But to the common sources Of Information,
good many mechanics add a very laudable at
ten,ion TO books, 10 the periodical publications
Of The day, and TO the associations for mutual
improvement. Mechanics aud apprentices
libraries are established, and mechanics socie-
ties are formed, which, by inducing sludious
habits, interchange. Of ideas, and collision Of
sentiments, must tend 10 improve the minds Of
the members in high degree. There is, in
fact, at the present time, very large share Of
information and solid practical knowledge "a
mong the Mechanics of this country.
The life Of the mechanic, il is true, is life
Of labour; and while he wipes the sweat from
his brow, he may perhaps murnur at his fate,
and envy what he considers the easy lot Of oth>
er professions. But where is the business
which exempls a man from life Of labour?-
The life Of Judge, and Of the FIST officer under
government is life OF labour. But can these
honorable men" build ship, or raise spire
to heaven, or exercise all or any OF the arts
which add so much 10 the comfort and grandeur
Of the world? These the mechanic can do; and
if he duly reflects on the importance OF his la
bours, he Can scarcely repine at MS lot.
Berkshire american.
CLAssIFI CATION "A writer suggests that the