The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-01-31
From the Philadelphia Saturday Post.
MATHEMATICS.

At the annual election of the New York Me.
chanic's Institute, Prof J. J. Mapes WAS elected
its President. His Inaugural Address was highly
interesting and instructive; and in the course OF II
besides mater particularly pertinent 10 the lnsti-
tuition, he made some s.ateme. Is and ssgg IS oIs
which universally applicable and useful. We
Il ID sketch OF his remarks IN the New York lri.
bune, from which we borrow.
He commended strongly thorough course OF
Mathematics as applied to the Mechanic arts for
all Mechanics. Is benefits were almost incacula-
Bile, especially to House. Ship and Machine build.
ers He illustrated the great advantage which
thoroughly educated Mechanic possesses over his
less informed brother, by the following incident:
/. He was once employed TO superintend the erec-
ton of factory for the Sugar Refining bu ness-in
New York, and it became his duty to procure
steam engine for the concern He made appca.
ton to several engine builders, aud received their
prop sails. which ranged from 81 $50 to 5,'0o-
The larger amount was the proposal of an old
House. and the smaller that of couple Of young
men who were ju.t entering the business. He
told them he was acting as an agent. and as friend
advised them to be cautious ia their calculations,
for the bargain he should make with them could
not be altered il, when too late to remedy the evil.
they should find that they had contracted to do the
work at ruinous rates. They replied that they had
made drawings OF the m chine, aIihid accurately
calculated the weight and cost Of the materials and
the expense of the work. They were ANXIOUS to
get some of their work before the public. and were
therefore willing to build the engine at a small
protit-$3O0 was the sum they, expected to clear
by the operation aud the result proved the correct
ness of their calculations. The actual cost did not
vary $40 from their estimate. short time after
wards, the Professor met one of the firm who made
the 500 proposal, when he inquired why he did
not let him have the job. He replied that he had
bargained as above. and gave the old gentleman
the estimate, sc. "WeIl," said he. '.the result
will be that they will lose at least 81 500, and prob
ably will not furnish the engine at ALL" He did not
believe 1t possible to make any such estimate, al
though he had for years been an engine builder,
and was hundersruck when told that the machine
had been completed, and that the actual cost varied
SO slightly from the estimate.
1 ne Professor also strahSly recommends atten-
ton to mechanical drawing. One acquainted with
this useful branch, may study aud understand well
the Architectures, &C., of the Old World without
crossing the Atlantic. Chemistry would be found
almost indspensably necessary 10 some branches Of
the Mechanic Arts. A man would make but at
sorry dyer, for instance, who should be entirely
ignorant Of the principles of Chemistry.
Such sound advice as this, if acted upon by all
mechanics, would elevate them from blind labor
ers upon details, into workmen comprehending the
full purpose and relation ofevery part to the whole;
aud give new importance and pleasure to their
pursuits and cali .gs. In this view, properly con-
Quoted associations, like the Franklin, in this city,
and the Mechanics in New York and Boston, are
doing substantial service to the whole cou,try.