Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1849-11-03

icanized.-N. o. Pic.
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
The propriety of providing residence
for the Governor at the seat of Govern
ment has frequently been discussed and
we hone will receive the early attention
of the Legislature. The Inconvenience of
the Executive having no permanent Off
ciai location, and the Commandor-in
Chief TO fixed headquarters, has been Of
ten felt and commented upon.
The seat Of Government is properly the
place Of residence for the chief executive
officer of the State. When business has
to be transacted with the department, or
in the event of any emergency which
might demand the most prompt action Of
that officer, the facilities of communica-
ton with Columbia are so excellent, that
no delay could possibly occur. And al.
though our Governors have always taken
efficient means to make known their
headquarters, still it can be easily perceiv-
ed how serious inconvenience might re-
suit from the present system.
The cost of establishing and keeping
up such mansion would be a trihe to
the State, and if there is any opposition
to the measure in any quaraer. we have
never heard oft. 1t would unquestiona-
bly, be more convenient, and would give
a degree of stability and regularity TO the
Office which cannot attach to it under
the present system.--,Souh Carolinion.
LEISURE HOURS OF MECHANICS.
Much has been said and much has been
written on this subject and although we
should write from this moment until the
sound of the last trump, when the dead
are to be raised, there would still be men
to be found who would waste that most
valuable article time, in folly and dissipa-
tion. AS the winter approaches, it be-
comes an important question for the me-
chanic, the young man entering on the
active stage of life, the apprentice, in
short, for every man who is employed
during the day, to put to himself the
question-how am to spend, to the best
possible advantage. the evenings of the
coming winter? Are they to be fritter-
ed away In degrading idleness, in the
pursuit of trlfling amusements, and in
frivolous company; or are they to be de-
voted to the lofty and ennobling purpose
of mental and moral improvement The
mind is the noblest part of man; and what
ever invigorates and improves it, neces.
sarily refues and increases the amount of
individual happiness. 1t is not necessary
to tell the intelligent mechanic that i'm
mense advantages will result to him from
knowledge of the sciences, and from
philosophical studies. The study of me-
chanical philosophy has contributed to
distinguish civilized from barbarous ma.
tons; and from it works of art have de.
rived much of their beauty. and aim, st
all their value. Without mechanical sci
ence, we could make very little progress
in the knowledge Of the works of nature,
but byit we are enabled to oimprove every
agent and every force she possesses, rem
dering even the motions of the elements
water, air, and 6re-~subservient to the
purposes and economy of life. It's when
theoretical knowledge and practical skill
are found highly combined, that the in
telieetual power of man appears in it's full
perfection; and where is the mechanic
who would not wish to add to his prac-
tical skill knowledge of the principles
on which his art is founded? 1T is but
lately, indeed. that mechanics and men
who use their hands have begun to share
In the benefits of science. To them its
deep fountains have long been sealed,
and its pure pleasures denied; and with
minds capable of high improvement, and
IN many.instances endowed with admira.
bic and brilliant gifts, they have allowed
themselves to toll in the mere drudpery
oftheir humble but useful employments,
unaided by the light of philosophy, and
uncheered by the rewards. Not so now.
A better spirit has gone abroad over the
land. Mechanics's Institutes and iyce.
uns are established in most of our cities
and towns, scattering light and knowledge
all around; and where at one time i.nce
was confined to halls and colleges and the
few, she is now 10 be seen
walking abroad in simple beauty, and Ia
king up her abode in many Of the work
shops and working places Of our mechan-
les.
This Ia one of the s,Yaat ;rnorora...o o,.4