New-York daily tribune., 1842-12-28

When we contrast the comforts and luxuries
which are universally enjoyed at the present day
with the condition of the people fifty years ago,
we find wonderful advance. II is but hundred
wears since Prince George OF Denmark, IN his
progress through England, could travel bot nine
miles in six hours, and then his carriage was saved
from oyer-turning only BY az the ninDle boots OF
Sussex.
But if we 90 back TO the times of Elizabeth, OF
Raleigh, Spencer, Sidney and Shakspeare-we
find still greater deficiency in domestic comfort
Beef and ale, for want of tea, formed the break
fast of the maids Of honor of the Queen Petatses
were uxuries for the rich, and knit hose were
sparinsly used even by royalty. What then must
it have been in earlier days, when It was luxury
to wash in ran-water and comb the hair once
dav. Ii we 60 back to Greece, we admire the
magni6cence of her temples and statues, and thrli
with her eloquence and poetry; but her cltzens
had no linen, no shoes nor stockings, no buttons
on their coats, no stirrups nor saddles, no teles-
copes, and no wind or water-mills
These physical gains of industry are not Its only
oBes. 1t also advances mans moral welfare. l ne
same power OF steam serves TO spread over the
world the lessons of the wise and good, and TO I'M
pei the vessel which beers the light OF learning
and Christianity to savage nations. he exercise
of thought and trade, demanded by the qualification
faculties and sentiments. Agriculture, Manuiac-
lures, Architecture, all work for this end Mind
and matter, intellect, aad feeling, conscience and
appetite, are so wisely nterming gled that one Is
not developed without the other, and by wondrous
alchemy the savage child of nature is transformed
into the refined and civilized man. The first wants
of man are of the earih earthly but their Sratlh-
cation demands labor and thought. Hence pro-
ceed the arts, science, government, Jurisprudence,
| and finally literature and philosophy as crowning
| blessings.
The intercourse of nations is powerfully affected
| by the progress of industry The steam engine,
as we'll as the schoolmaster, is abroad. The cotton
plant has been great pacificator by supplying the
poorer classes with cheap decent fabric, and rails
ing them in social rank, and giving them taste
for comfort, which leads them TO avoid and detest
war.
! Another effect is increased economy by the pow
ers of machinery, by substituting rapid artificial
for slow natural processes, and by the division OF
| labor. The most worthless articles become useful
materials. Rags make paper, and even sugar;
bones supply grease, lamp-black, Glaubers salts,
| hartshorn and sal-ammoniac; and bread mas oeeh
made of saw-dust.
| Here examples teach US that the power of man
over nature has scarcely any conceivable limit
| The next seventy years may be more proiihc In
discoveries and Improvements than the last. Sci
| ence has only commenced her career, and but pre-
pared herself for still greater achievements. Our
inquiry should be. what part shall be taken by
the mechanic and artizan of the United States7
They are subject to no restrictions, no constraist
on their exertions. A wide field is open before them
They have the privilege select their occupation,
and liberty to pursue to the extent of their abili
ty. They should study the laws of nature, espec-
tally those which apply particularly to their own
art They are within the reach of great powers,
yet to be unfolded. 1t may be their lott discover
them, to become the teachers and benefactors of
the world, and to tread in the footsteps of Frank
lin, of Whitney, and Of Fulton.