New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-01-10
THE TRIBUN L
HJechanics' Institute.


institute was held at the Lecture Room in the base
attendance was full, and the newly elected Presi-
dent. Professor ]. J. MArEs, was installed, and de-
lyered his Inaugural Address. Not unlike its pre-.
decessors, this Address of the Professor was highly
interesting and instructive. He spoke Of the In
,,i,ue, It's prosperous condition, its purpose and its
usefulness to all who should avail themselves CT its
benefits, but especially 10 the Apprentices and
Young Mechanics of the City. The National Aca-
denny OF Design had generously voted to admit; two
of the best pupils of the Institute 10 the benefits Of
that Institution.
He spoke in high terms of commentator Of the
4 Conversational Meetings which the Institute mas
/ adopted in place of Lectures, ard as he thought,
wisely. He anticipated very superior benefits from
such course.
The manner in which these Conversations are car
red on is al once very simple and interesting. At
the regular meeting OF The Society after the trans.
action of the ordinary business, some memb5r pre-
noses q subject for conversation. Then any member
NAV speak or give his opinion or experience the
conversation being free TO all whether members of the
Institution or not No person is at liberty 10 deny
what another may have said, but he may state that
instance, ii member should state that SNOW was
black, no other member would be allowed fatty to
TO deny the absurd assertion, bat he may say that
the snow Gbou; his premises Of Il color exactly
the opposite. BY this meuns the experience Of
wears will be stated in few words, which all can
understand and appreciate.
He commended strongly a thorough course Of
Mathematics applied TO the Mechanic arts, for
ell Mechanics. lis benefits were almost incacnla-
bic, especially TO House, Ship and Machine build
era. He illustrated the great advantage which
thoroughly educated Mechanic possesses over his
less informed brother, by the following incident:
He was once employed to supernlend the erec-
ton Of d factory FOX the Sugar Refining business in
this CITY, and became his duty 10 procure steam
engine for the concern. He made application TO
several engine builders and received Ihsir propo-
s sals which ranged from 81. $50 to $500. The
larger amount was the proposal OF an old Houss and
the smae. taat of couple OF young men who were
ust entering the business. lis tod them lie was
acting as On agent and as friend advised them TO
be cautious in their Calculations for the bargain nc
should make with them could not be altered it,
when TOO late TO remedy the evil, they should find
tina, ;hey had contracted 10 do the work at runous
'4NN '''~NS
Of the MACHINE, and had accurately calculated the
weight and cost of the materials and The expense oi
Inc work They were anxious 10 get some Of their
work beofe the public, aud were therefore willing
TO build Inc engine al u small proht-S300 was the
sum they expected 10 clear by The operation: ana
The result proved the correctness OF their ca'cuia-
lions. The actual cost did not vary $50 from thelr
estimate A short time atterward, The Professor met
one of the firm who made The SIS 200 proposal, wien
he incurred why he did not let him have the job
He repied that he had bargaired above, and gave
the old gentleman Inc estimate, Sc. We'll, SAID
he the result will be that they viii lose at least
$780, and probably viii not furnish the engine III
all He did not believe it possible 10 make amy
such estimate, although he had for years been an
engine builder and was thunderstruck when told
that the mochiar he'd been completed and that the
actual cos, varied So slightly from the estimate.
The Debating Club attached 10 the Institute he
regarded US valuable adjunct. The beneficial re-
suits of such Club were TOO obvious 10 require
concentration. Ii was calculated 10 inspire conf
deuce, expand and deveope the Intellectual powers
induce reading and do away with &c parte thinking.
A man who is TO appear in debate will OF course,
lif he be not ambitious of the distinction OF being
reckoned blockhead) read enough 10 inform HIM
self we'll On the subec, he is discuss and he will
also find it absolutely necessary TO examine both
sides of the question.
He commended mechanical drawing. One &C
qnainted with this useful branch may study and
understand well the Architecture &c. Of the Old
World without crossing the Atlantic. Chemistry
would be found almost indspensGbly necessary 10
some branches of the Mechanic Arts. A man
but Uhn
should be entirely ignorant Of the principles Of
Chemistry.
The Mechanics of New-York had duty 10 per-
form 10 the r.sirg generation. BY q little iime az
tsn,ion and money, they could transform the hum
dreds Of BOYS who now wear red shirts and follow
Gre engines about the City, into intelligent and
iezprising mechanics and good members OF society
The Lecturer concluded by some exceedingly
interesting remarks about Natural Philosophy,
showing not only It's appcableuess to the numerous
wants Of man, but that aside from its intrinsic
merits, the study OF ii is eminently pleasing and
Instructive. This he illustrated by various iacts
and phenomena.
FROM CURAcoA.-By the arrival yesterday morn
ing OF the schr. Navarro, Capt. Rich from Curacoa
@o'a utimo, we learn from Nc. Lewis Koran, pas
o., o1o' 'uoie "uS uilcuitf eAistiuS Oei"ecD,
INV. IL. freeman, the mercan Consul, and Go
vernon Randers, the latter prohibiting the Consul
.fcu hosting the American flag, not acknowledge
ng Mr. Freeman any thing more than Commercial
Agent. We learn that the Consul! has sent dis.
patches TO his Government concerning Inc affair."
nf' hoIan also informed us that the schr. Wave
espiain Higgins, a, Porto Cabello, reported that
'ae Authorities of that place had imposed penalty
u slOO on him, captain II for having three
pseSases less than his manifest specified. Through
,no Interference Of the Consul ard merchants at
TOTO Csbeilo, the Captain was liberated 0! The
Penalty.
FA0n La GuAyaA-By the arrival of the big
lenn' Capt. Durham, We learn that coffee was yer,
n pa., nod