New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-02-07

Hampshire. Professor Bigelow spends pleasant
hosr with him occasionally, TO talk OF the metals
and the principles OF art. Dickens, snd his own
coun,rynan Arthur, call and rehearse stories OF
real life, calculated TO inspire seltresPec, and Gle
vate the hope. and the social prospects of the lew
" and decreased From all parts OF the civilized
globe, and of all pursuits ne has the wise and good
for his companions talking long as ne will listen
ard ceasng their discourse at his pleasure. With
the witty and the eloquent, the protousd thinkers
and the philosophical for companions, from when
he NAV draw such instruction he feels relish
for, at the time, why may not the mechanic become
improved and elevated, and refined. and learn 10
think correctly and with vigcr, and in turn contH
butte something for the encouragement and enllsht.
eminent of Others And yet this is bur faint ard
imperfect picture of vel! selected library, which
BY an association may be sustained al small al
r1lal tax upan each member.
Another measure designed to aid the cause we
wsuld promote, is the support OF periodical de-
voted TO the interest of mechanics, in all that con-
Germs their progress and happiness as class. A
periodical OF marked and distinctive character,
from every number of which may be gathered sci
entifc principles important facts, suggestions TOR
social improvement and for selt-edhcatlon A Pc
riodical permanently and actively engaged in the
Of the world better and wiser | will not attempt
10 decide the question wheth such periodical al
ready exists bu, tina, none such is supported and
sustained. and exerts such an influence as a peri
odical of the kind should do, is quite certain.
There are various periodicals, monthly and
weekly, devoted to the arts and sciences, ard to
the interests of mechanics, in various sections OF
the country-lnost Of them of recent origin, and
some of them conducted with signal ability. Ihe
literature of our time has also much improved ;
and Neal and Arthur with others, and even the
smoking old knickerbocker himself, are engaged
occa sionaly in giving the world useful lessons as
10 the dignity Of labor the worth of the industrial
classes and the claims they have TO become intel
ligent and the means by which it may be accom-
plishcd. But few of us can expect 10 procure all
these periodicals. hunt up much of This kind OF lit
erature numbered up sit is with much OF q vastly
different and less useful and meritorious character
But there is no reason why, with periodical
published in our State, such as has been limited al.
we may not have all that is important and desira-
bic and suited to our waats from all these sources
Then too we have now in successful operation
several associations with their members actively
engaged in mental and mutual cultivation; pre-
pairing ESSAYS aud lectures, and with names en-
rolled among them already known to fame as
forcible and correct thinkers, fitted to aid IN the
important work of leglslatins for the State: and
we have right to expect that such periodlcai
may become the vehicle OF useful and interest
ing correspondence between these associations, and
become the organ of their views, and the instru
nent of concentrating and diffusing them, The
progress of opinion, AID the experience of each
thus becoming the experience o: all, will probably
suggest speedier and better methods of conducting
our associations TO the desired end, at which they
aim 1t may be the means of aiding in the fornia-
tioa Of more Just public opinion regarding labor
and the men engaged in the wealth-producing pur-
suits of life and the medium of awakening high
selfrespect among mechanics and their families,
and become the cause OF broader and more gene
raj elevation.
A general interest to establish and sustain such
periodical by the several associations and by
mechanics generally in the State, would unques-
tionably insure an elegant and vigorous publica-
ton at small annual expenditure of each. With
such periodical 1 should have strong hopes of
keeping our wants and wishes prominently before
the mind with frequent suggestions for improve
rnent, personal and public should have firm
faith that eur assembling together would not be in
vain, and that we were not only capable OF form
ing plans, but had the ability to execute them. As
to where such periodical shall be started, or by
whom conducted, is to my mind matter OF less
consequence than that it be worthily managed and
properly sustained.
Another means of improvement suited to the
present condition of the Mechanics of our State is
the establishment of school fer apprentices and
young men who are just cut of their apprentice
ship where they may make up deficiencies in their
early education, and become thoroughly acquainted
with the science Of mechanics and those leading
,hofh r,-o ipt1y tn
relation TO the arts. There is still existing very
general defect in the scientific knowledge of me-
chanics. We see it in the frequent violations OF
all the rules of architecture wherever we go. Here
aad there may be found specimens Of correct taste
III this department, that afford pleasure to all be-
holders; but how frequently do we find gross vio-
la,ions, and how lanentaby low is the public taste
and knowledge upon the matter, that will tolerate
such huge and mis-shapen edi6ces as FIJI our towns
and mar the country. This would not be so il
mechanics were generally we'll qualified to lead
and drec, in the matter. Were master builders
generally acquainted with the science of this bust
ness the form and proportions, the location and
arrangement of edifccs would not be made by the
builder or his wife, by the suggestions OF neigh
bors all entirely ignorant OF the principles OF arch
i,ecture. The builder would first be consulted and
having been made acquainted with the general wants
and wishes of the owner, would be able to reduce
the whole matter to a system upon correct primer
piles of taste, convenience and my, and when
so reduced and a plan presented and explained, it
would commend itself to every mind, and be aP.
proved and adopted. In the progress of the work
too. the end would be seen from the beginning, and
alterations and extra jobs, and losses attending
them, would all be obviatcd. I,would be seen that
the mechanic not only understood the use of bis
tools, bur the science of his trade, and could be
as an intelligent scientific and safe man,
instead Of being directed as mechanic, or toling
au,onaton. Were builders qualified by an acquaint-
ance with science and the principles of their art,
we should not witness foundation walls thrown
from their places and crumbling il pre- mature de-
cay. mastering FILLING from the ceiling in comPar