The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-10-15
Mechanics Education.

made TO the New York Legislature, by the
Committee on Education, to whom had been
referred bill entitled Gan act TO establish
a workshop for experimenting in mechani-
cal operations, and school for the promo
ton of agriculture and the mechanic arts"
Though not intended for this meridian, we
publish portion of the report in the hope
that it may awake some interest among our
mechanics on the subject upon which it
treats, than which none can be to them Of
more Importance:
The object of having a workshop and a
school for teaching science connected with
the mechanic arts, is, that persons destined
for mechanical trades, might learnby exper-
iment and otherwise, the general laws and
principles upon which those arts are found
ed, and make improvements in them.
A large portion Of mechanics learn their
particular trade or art, by rotc, without un-
Outstanding in the least, the laws or princi-
pies upon which that art is founded.
If they understand those principles and
laws, they will pursue their trades with
greater advantage. They are in their dali
ly labors, going through with experiments
that would lead to important discoveries, in
ventionS and improvements in mechanical
operations.
They have the finest field in their every
day business, for making discoveries in me
chanical pursuits. The man of science who
does not engage III mechanical operations.
does not have the opportunity OF Witnessing
those innuinorable experiments that are
happening every day in the life Of the me-
chanic, and which, if he did, would lead TO
some important discovery.
Before the invention OF the art Of printing.
there was but little means Of circulating
knowledge.
The man Of mere science then, as now,
who did not witness mechanoa al operations
and work himself, or at least understand the
work Of others. was, so far as any attempt
to improve mechanical business is concern.
ed, mere theorizer, and all his invention,
in this department turn ont to be visionary
In former times, science was learned on.
" by those who devoted their whole time
TO il, and never mingled III, or knclc any.
thing Of the business. The trade Of the ar
tisan was mere traGiiondry repetition. /
an invention or improvement in mechani
cal operations was discovered, it was emily
! dccide1i'. or happy suggestion that flashed
across the mind Of an Arkwright or SOmt
other genius. that in spite of study and {
| knowledge Of science, forces itself TO bril-
| liant discoveries and important conclusions
Those who are TO construct complicate,
machinery should understand the laws all,
principles connected with the operation O
, al Ia, g., -,
gate the ocean, the science Of hydronamic
and everything connected with nautical sci
cnce; those who are carrying Oh large az
ricultural and manufacturing operations, In
qualities and means of improving soils, tn
effect that every ingredient has upon th
particular article made those who are (
build steam engines and hydraulic presses
to oversee mines. the excavation of canal
! and the construction of railroads, the law
with regard TO the action Cs fluids in larC
quantities, the characteristics of light an
heat, the sciences Of electricity, magnets
an! galvaniSm.
Because inventions and discoveries hrv
in many instances, been made by accidcI
or by genius without n knowledge of sci
cnce, this is no argument 10 show that sci
entitic attain,ncnts are not necessary anon
practical working men i'll order to SugJe,
Improvements.
If the mechanics of our State were famiI
lar with all science, and with the genera
principles and laws connected with thci
trades, they would have perception an
minds prepared TO lead them to improve
mcnts and inventions in their trades ths
would not only benefit their calling but In
world.
We have no data upon which TO base
calculation, and il is impossible 10 tell hC'
many discoveries aud inventions have n
most been thrust upon mechanics, and sti
il never amounted 10 anything because the
had not sufficient kHowicdgc Of the gtHtr
lars and science, and principle connecte
; with those arts to deducc the new trutl
, and discoveries TO which the faint sugge
tons pointed.
No one can imagine how many diScov,
rics and inventions would have been mad
if the mechanic had had sufficient know
edge of science TO follow up every sugge
ton, and 10 improve the numerous opport,
mites that his daily business offers for di
covcry.
Thousands had witnessed the falling of :
dppIt---tO llOllc DHl lIlc HllllU Oh u NcNIO
learned in mathematics and in the prime
pies of science, did this simple event dedut
the important law of gravity, that holds Il
: earth and ocean together, that attracts Il
: moon to the earth. the satellites TO the pla
cts, the planets TO the sun, the sun itse
: with numberless other worlds to some &C
: trail point of attraction.
In the Greek and Latin Languages v
read, that in the earliest times they knew
convex lenses, but it required knowled
of science to make Of them telescopes
magnifying glasses so that they could be
k use to mankind. They also branded up,
}. their sheep the name of their owner.
Here is near approach, without disco
:, ering the art Of printing, that art which h
:. changed the destiny of mankind.
l. They went even so far as to brand nam
on their sheep, but il did not even occur
them that if black fluid, called ink, "
placed on their brand, and the necessa
machinery to press that brand, that In
y could print volumes in short time.
There was also near approach made
Cicero TO discovery Of the art of printir
without discovering il.
Speaking ofsomething that Cicero thong
= impossible, he says:
"lloc qui cStimat iieri potuissc. non int
5, ligo, cur non idem putct, 81 innumerabi
nnins ct viginti lormio litcTrum vel aur,