Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-12-30

of the present century, with the character
of industry, ingenuity, and success in the mechanic
arts great wealth. great public spirit, and, above
ALL of great benevolence to the poor, to whom he was
boneacor on the largest scale Of real philanthropy.
A remarkable example of success in mechanics
may also be found in the OF Sir Richard Ark
wright, who belongs TO the same period. This man
began life poor barber, but manifested peculiar
talent for mechanism. He left his barbers shop
in the year 1867 and commenced his mechanical ca
reer in the village of Warrington with machine
which he called perpetual motion Here he was in
duced 10 turn his attention to the machinery for spin
ming WOOL and finally succeeded in invenng the
spinning jenny, which has enabled the manufacturers
of wool and cotton TO perform such wonders in their
respective departments He died in 1892, worth two
millions and half, which he had an,assed in twenty
five years from the time, of his first exhibition, poor
mechanic. without property or friends
But a still brighter name is that of James Watt,
the celebrated improver of the steam engine This ex-
traordlnarl man belongs to our own age, having v-
ed until 1919. Born in Scotland the son Of trades
man. he was brought up to the business of malhe-
matcal instrument maker. Not satisfied, however
with being merely good practical workman, he
studied lntently into the whole theory belonging to
his art, and passed from mathematics into all the
branches of natural philosophy and the kindred
sciences His astonishing Improvements in the steam
engine, which, previously to this time. was an exceed
lngy imperfect machine have almost effected revo-
luton in the arts of mining, of navigation, and all
the greater operations of mechanical power. This
successful and truly splendid effort, however, did not
absorb his whole attention. Many other useful nven-
tons in mechanism were produced by his industrious
and perseverng ingenuity, and he alike distin-
ChnI tla .f.IIs Al
and beloved for his character OF upghtness and ur-
bany, for he knew how to bear his honors with ami
able humility. and sober moderation.
1may not tresspass too long, however, by MOTTO
ing the many individuals whose names stand asso-
ciated with the mechanical achievements of our day
as beneiacors of their age and country. Fulton, the
father OF steam navigation. Evans, the inventor oil
the modern Touring MILL and the high pressure steam
engine; Perkins, the inventor Of the nail machine
with large company of others, would furnish themes
for higher euogy than NINE Suffice it to say that
have referred to these examples affordng the most
positive proof of the rich abundance of the harvest
produced by the field of the mechanic arts, when
diligently and sue cessiuy cultivated. In nearly all
of The instances cited the individuals began life under
every disadvantage Inpoor, or at least, in humble
circumstances with very little education or with none
tiey "eIe COupeieu 10 tnelr acquisitions ny
dlnt of severe and perseveTing occupation of every
moment which they could rescue from their daily task
of toll And in order to estimate the amazing re-
suits ofths sort ofenergy, may briefly mention the
case oftwo men, still living. The one is that OF
Professor Lee, supposed to be the greatest oriental
scholar in Eng and, who con,rived to master the
most difficult languages Of antiquity while earning
ms bread as Journeymnn carpenter. The other is
That OF Elsha Rurritt co1lo1
VINO is said to have acquired the knowledge of some
nifty languages while he carried the regular labou,
| of the forge When such results can be substan ate
| by living witnesses, who can estimate the melan.
choy loss, even in temporal aspect, incurred by
those habits, which fling away an invaluable amount
of time and faculties, in ideness intemperance, anc
/ folly.
! The object then, my friends of the Burlington Me-
chancs Institute is surely one which every iudgmen
must approve; for it designed 10 hold up to view
the usefulness and true dignity of the mechanic arts
and to furnish the wholesome stimulus to energetic
action which must flow from ius estimate of thei
value The meetings of your association will draw
your attention 10 the achievements of science TO thu
advantages and honors which wait on studous ant
perseveIlng industry, 10 the light which all prac,ica
art may derive from udcious books of theory and tt
the benefits of mutual consultation in free and kind
ly intercourse The love of books and reading which
Will thus be cherished must have good effect upor
Inc habits OF domestic life; and the culture of youl
minds VIII yield YOU stronger and higher as wei
as Purer pleasure, than any or all the fever
lsh and per'lous delights ofdissipa,ion. While form
ing as you do, most indispensable and imporan
portion OF the community, the progress of your ac
QUESTIONS must influence all the rest And thus unde
, favor OF divine Providence, the advancement of me
, chancal philosophy and useful knowledge, within
your own peculiar circle, will not prove to be con
, hned and isolated thing; but, like the odor OF som
t sweet Perfume will difiuse itself TO more or les
t extent, throughout the whole atmosphere aroun
you.
have only 10 observe, in conclusion that shout
! not anticipate those beneficial results from any othe
. view of the subject than that which have thus en-
deavored though very impcrfec,ly, place before yoy
5 Your kind selection of myself for this lnterestin
duty is sufficen; proofthat you would not consen
TO have the science and the arts of this transitory liz
, exalted at the expense OF religion. Far more ele
waited and noble is their position, when we recognz
them as part Of the wisdom and goodness of tina
Almighty Being, without whom even the sparro,
cannot fall to the ground and whose love no, onl
makes such bountul provision for the wants of on
mortal state, but invites u.s. in his Gospel, 10 secur
, the countless treasures of eternity
S
RAPS.
"How do you suppose" said sections wifi
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