The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-09-19
For the New Era.
SCIENCE. SCIEN TIFIC MEN. MATHE-
MATICS, ASTRONOMY, NAVIGATION, COM.

v. IL
MATICS, AS fRONoMY, NAVIGATION, COM
MERGE, &c.
Without a knowledge of Astronomy, The mari
ner could never thread his way across the track
less "cean, foreign commerce could not he carried
on, except to very limited extent, aud even that,
at great disadvantage. For were The naviga-
tor to lose sight of land his condition, wanderer
without guide, upon Old Oceans surgng waves
would be truly piIiable. Mt that all sailors or a
majority of them. cnnversant with the details
of Astronomy. But the rules, by which, in prac
tice, they enabled to calculate their latitude
and longitude, have, together with multiplicity
of nautical tables, been formed To their hand, and
the application of them has been Taught, by the
most profound astronomers. Yet this science is
wholly based upon The mathematics. and in order
that it may he fully understood, a thorough ac
qnalniance with the higher departments of
these is absolutely necessary. Then let no une,
who is IN any degree indrhted To this department
of business for the Comforts he enjoys cease tn
bear In mind, that 1t is 10 of science he owes
This augmentation Of the happiness of life. But
who, upon this principle, must not be sensible,
that gratitude is due Ia thuSe of his class For
1t is by means OF marine intercourse the whue
civilized world is brought, as it were, into the
same viciniiy,--ihe products Of the industry of
me nation are exchanged for those of another,-
the luxurious fruits of sunny chimes are made To
contribute to the support Of the inhabitants Of less
favored portions Of The earth; while they recipro
cate the benefit by returning either their own ay.
rculural products, or manufactured fabrics. of
one form or another. Nor is this all, for The Iipht
Of civilization is thereby disseminated Thus is
the character of man elevated, the gloom of gno.
rance is chased away and wisdom is learned from
the experience Of surrounding natious
But it is upon mathematical prncip that the
mechanic arts, also. rest for support. IL is by
direct application Of the results of scientific re-
search, that they are perfected, and made TO Sc
cure to man The greatest possible amount of com.
iurt, at the least expense of lahur THUS. in this
department of industry, have originated the many
Improvements of this, and of past ages, The benpf
clal effects Of which may be seen and traced
wherever civilized society is found Frum the
thousands of the manufactures of implements in
must common use in the ordinary business Of life.
TO those most extensive establishments, where, in
WE C"uiSt vi lew UOUTSt lUe PRODUCT OF The soil
is changed into fabric Of one form or another,
most convenient for Supplying comforts and ele-
gances in Dress all is the result of scientific
knowledge. Without an understanding Of the
philosophical principles Of mechanic pow ers the
machinery could not be constructed, which. giving
a command over the elements of Nature, enables
rs u obtain at her hands, results which would
otherwise, require the united exertiOns Of thou
sands Of human beings.
To attempt an enumeration Of this class, would
be 10 enter into detail Of The numberlpss daily
occupations Of life, many Of which are considered
unImporlant, only on account of The Frequency
with which they are presented to view, thereby.
inducing an impression that they are rather mat
ters Of course, than leading to an inquiry into their
origin and progress. When we view the stately |
edIice. the magnificent pile, which rpars lis head
aIolt in giddy grandeur, do we reflect that its
strength, and comparative permenency, depend