The Delaware register, or, Farmers', manufacturers' & mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1828-1829, 1829-01-31
THE MECHANIC.

LIZ ul11NIlANlO.
If the dignity of this class may be measured ty
their importance to 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 they have
sufficient foundation in themselves
BY them the beautiful and convenient mansion is
substituted for the rude and uncomfortable hut; and
scarlet and fine twined linen supply the wardrobe,
in place of skins Of wild animals They are the
foundation of nearly all the improvements and COM
forts of life, and further, may say of the glory and
the grandeur Of the world BY them the farmer plopls
land, and by them the mariner plougbs the ocean by
them the monarch is adorned with Ills crown and bv
them the peasant is clad in comfortable garments hy
them the trumphal arch is raised 10 the hero and bv
them the temple ascends to the Deity Nv them the
wealthy roll in chariots; by them the table is spread.
the bed is decked and the parlor is furnished To them
the poet owes the perpeuation of his fame. Homer
sings and Caesar triunphs in all ages. Through them
we are instructed by the wisdom of Plato and charm
ed by the eloquence of Cicero through them we adj
mire the justice of Arstdes and the heroism of LIE.
onidas.
And much of this is owing to the two single arts
that of printing, and the manufacture of paper Bv
the former, learning has been rescued from the Gloom
of the dark ages but without the latter, the benefit
of printing would be circumscribed to very narrow
bounds. 1t is by means of the press chiefly, that so
much of Christendom its escape from the tbra-
dom of superstition.
There is philanthropy in the Mechanic Arts
The mechanic who brings to his occupation an inven
tive, enlightened, and enquring mind, who is master
of his craft, in theory well in practice has more
of real philosophy in him than 90 of those minute
philosophers who spend their lives in puzzllng the
world with empty metaphysical speculations, and of
whom Cicero speaks with so much deserved contempt
The mechanic who perfecy understands his trade as
well in the principles the practice Of it. gets him
self degree of no inconsiderable rank and honor
and that without the Intervention of college, or the
formal vote of learned corporation. To become
an ingenious and enlightened mechanic, is necessary
that the youth who is destined for trade, should
bring to his employment, mind nquisitive, studous
busy, and inclined to mechanic pursuits. Such
mind, with ordinary attention to its CIVILIZATIONS can
scarcely fail of becoming in very considerable de-
gree enlightened.
The life of the mechanic it is true, is life of la
Dor; 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 But where
is the business which eXempts man from life of la
bor The life of judge and of the first officer under
government is life of labor But can these " homo.
rabe men" build ship or raise spire to heaven. or
exercise all any of the arts which add so much TO
the comfort and grandeur of the world? These the
mechanic can do; and if he duly reflects on the i'm
porance of his labors, he can scarcely repine at ks
lot-Berkshire American