Mechanics', operatives', and laborers' advocate., 1837-01-16
EDUCATION OF MECHANICS-NO. 5.

Dne advantage moro which will result from the
 enti6c education of mechanlcs remains to be mo- ed refer to the elevated character which it
 uld give this class of society. And this is an ad- htage quite as important as any we have yet notl- Id, if not more so. To any one who casts his eye Ter the face of society, and watches the changes hich are going on in this age of life and activity, bthing is more plain than that power is passing om the hands of the few into the hands of the knv. And the reason of this change is to be found Ithe old adage that knowedg gc is power.' Wherev-
 knowledge is difilscd through the community, wealthy and the titled are losing power, while
 more numerous classes are gaining it. This is be seen in the principal nations ot Europe, but it Especially to be seen in this country. The ope- i've, or working classes are rising to higher
 te of intelligence and morals, and are therefore qurng more weigh: and influence in the move pnts of society. And this advancement we not Fly rejoice at, but we wish to urge it onward at a pre rapid rate. The plan of scientific education lch we have suggested, we believe will have this Feet.
 Let us examine for moment the influence which e cultivation of sclence would have on the me- anic as an individual and then we shall be better epared to estimate Its influence on this whole hss of our citizens. Suppose then some ono me lanic to % through the course of education which
 have recommended. He acquires taste for the vestigations of science and philosophy in his very lidhood, and he feels his mlnd to be invigorated Id quickened at this early age, by the interesting cts which are opened before him. As he advan- s in life, the strength which his increasing know dge communicates to his mental powers becomes ore and more perceptible. His mind IS able to Dor with more energy and readiness, than if 1t had Pt been thus early imbued with the principles of hence. He sees too that not only has his mental fength been nourished by the food with which sci bee has constantly fed his mind, but that he has zen continually laying up stock ot materials tor Poyment and for self Improvement. lie acquired his youth, the habit Of observing the interesting Renomena which were going on around inn, and pm that moment, earth, air and water teemed with lects to interest and cxercse the faculties of his md. in his Jai, business, in his walks in his mo- entS of relaxation, at all times, and in all paces
 IS gathering the rich treasures of thought from e infinitely varied objects which meet his eye In b language of f:hqkspeare. he finds books in the ming oroos;, tongues m trees sermons Tn stones pa good jH every thing" The vile world IS tc n t,Il to Cyor!tOwing of facts ana phenomena, and acute and constant observation never suffers h!s md to be idle. He is always adding to his stock mfonnation, from conversaton, books, and tine prd around him. and his nnd by constant excr- se, Is a#srs increasing its strength. No" suc} man vii! evidently be more intelligent, active d ente~p"isin~ na"lO CT of society, will ha'c moTe lue2ce IS 2 ci;;.eA then he would i he ilnL moi Fgoyed the advantarcs GF an early scientific eiu- Ruon And eve:5 mechanic can be i'lFr Hrch : i an 1.-the plan which we p,oposn be adopted, Sup 1 Se that tie Wh3'o body of mechanics were >"e' pen, possessed of large share Of general cnd sci EEihc ko' ledge; rr character a&1 influence as Class wOud be cieyatei .It &';o,o Y i@' tncy no" | .; the Do"a ~h;ch krow,n.'~> riYcs %o"l! hG EeH anl felt ;-1hcy woH'l ool.:G.,! n .:, t me- re IT, or national ,,;'"mctcr and p:oapert3 their IF Eilgelce would heoac O. the st:on..ot >"tc gurri: cur liberties. E'e r2iulce to soc So many cir nsta' -ces consPi'inr to raise thi> valuable ant PpoFt2n! class Of o@r citizens to thls proud eleVa