The native American., 1838-07-14
From The NeDark Sentinel.
THE MECHANICS STUDIES.
ii is t o R Y.

consderatc men, OF all ages, perhaps more gene
rally than any branch OF intellectual pursuit
Holding middle place between mere entertain
ment and abstruse research, it has alured into its
wide and variegated fields the curious aud the
rejecting of every different walk in life. And
this is reasonable and easy of explanation. Often
has it been said till the sentence has grown into
proverb, that History is Philosophy teaching by
Example, Often have the words Of the Roman
orator been reiterated, that Not TO know what
happened before one was born, is TO be always u
child If our great statesmen could be fairly
questioned, it would be found, that they have
gained more concerning the principles of govern
ment, from the story OF former times, than from
all their perusal Of abstract treatises
The American Mechanic is freeman; he is
one of that people to whom we ascribe sove-
reignty. Ifin1ependent If il his way Of thnkng he
must needs be, to a certain extent, politician.
In point OF fact all men, Of all yocatons, in this
country, undertake to talk about the measures Of
government, and to give some reason Tor the
party attachments and their votes. Here we find
a good argument for the study Of history, by
working men.
But to this we must add other signal and ac-
knowledged benefits, which flow from historical
reading, whenever, and by whomsoeyer pursued.
1t enlarges our knowledge OF the world and gives
the petty circle Of our city or our State, and
brings US into felt relation to the great system
Of events it affords lively commentary on the
happy or banetll tendencies of virtue and vice;
and it displays in the most striking manner the
wise and wonderful plans of Divine Providence.
Before the unhappy multiplication Of novels
and romances young men sought their chief mem
tai relfeshment in historical reading; and there is
cause for believing that by reason of this differ
ence, the rising race is likely to be less acquaint-
ed with past events than their fathers were. A
morbid taste for the eXciements of romantic lc-
ton has depraved many mind, and in some
measure placed history nearer than it once stood
TO what are considered severe studies. Never
thecss, after having dreamed away golden hours
over many scores of novels, | am confident in
saying, that in the long run, history is more ell
tcrtang than romance. Truth, it has been said,
is more interesting than fiction; and the more
man extends his reading, the deeper will be his
conviction of this truth. Few men could spend
a week in reading novels, and nothing else but
many men spend delightful months upon the an
nails Of great events. 1t is an unconscious ho-
mare to this quality of authentic narrative, that
some of our greatest novclsts have chosen to in
te;weave the events Of true history in their most
successful romances.
No patriotic American would willingly confess
that he does not feel his soul more stirred by the
nnvarnished tale Of revolutionary conflict, than by
the exciting scenes, Of any fiction whatever; and
the wonderful unexpected, and rapid changes and
commissions Of the French Revolution reach the
passions with mightier influence, than all the
feigned errors Of tragic Muse.
As we extend our reading of history, this inter
est, far from decreasing, grows exceedinly in
strength so that there is no branch Of study
which so uniformly gains upon the affections Of its
= yotaries. In the field of romance, the fictitious
emotion becomes dull and dies away; but III his
torical researches, the studies of our youth con
tinue TO be the solace even Of our old age.
1t will be suitable for me to add suggestion,
as to The method in which history may be ad-
vantageously studied; and these shall be adapted
to the case of such are not surrounded by CO.
pious libraries. First, let it be observed, that
no man, in one lifetime, can read all history; and
that it is altogether undesirable to attempt any
thing like this. Consequently, every thing de-
pends upon the wise selections; both as to sub
iects and authors. All history is not equally
valuable to all; and time may be deplorably vast
ed over an annast who is inaccurate, prolix, or
obscure.
Secondly: method is as important here as any
where. BY method in history, | simply mean
.sbeginning at the beginning. Experience as
sureS me that lalf our LABOR would be saved, IL
we would cross the stream nearer to its source,
or assault the tree nearer to its root. My grand
counsel then is this: Begin ,oiM generals and
from these desceadto particulars. Proceed as the
draughsman does; first, sketch rapid outline,
then give the minuter touches, and at length, il
time permit, add the more delicate lights and
shades. Or in still palmer terms, begin with
some very brief, and eompendious, but clear and
masterly view of general history; such an aid we
have in two invaluable and well known works OF
TYLER. A good chronological chart would afford
an outline still more general. Then proceed 10
pain a more familiar acquaintance, first with an
cient, and afterwards with modern history
Thirdly: Beware of the false supposltlon, that
every part Of your picture is TO be filled up with
equal care and minu,eness. Where the panta-.
ton is vast, the wise planter clltvates IN well
chosen spots. Be thankful that you are moi
called upon to know every thing. For exam
ple, the history of Carthage is less important than
that of Rome; the former to most men, only as
subsidiary to the latter; the one you will curso-
rily pcruse; to the other you will repeatedly