The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-07-24
MECHANISM. NO. 9.
BY JOSIAH HoLBRooK.

No one exercise in mechanism probably fur
nishes 10 much instruction or entertainment as
forming, dividing combining, and drawing the
Z" five regular solidsp Such an exercise calls into
combined aud vigorous action the hand head, and
heart for illustrating various sciences in their np-
plioation 20 numerous arts. 1t is prominently
Bnlinm ia parUOo-much in a little.
The most simple Of these five solids is the most
simple figure with length, breadth, and thick
ness that can be made. II can be formed by any
hand eight years old in five minutes. A piece Of
paste board divided into four equilateral trian-
giles may be folded 10 an instant into this figure.
Twenty OF these most simple solids, combined In
their most compact form, give the most complex
Of the FIVE regular solids Twenty tetrahedrons
form an icosahedron Each Of these may be form
ed into very numerous combinations OF themselyes,
and in connection with each other, aud both with
the ootahedron and other solids may produce
forms literally without end every one illustrating
some OF the works Of God and man, probably both.
The cube, formed by the folding Of six squares
into solid is capable perhaps Of still more diVis-
ions aud combinations than either OF the figures
Just named These divisions and combinations
are certainly more directly applicable to the daily
business pursuits OF all classes than any other
figures, perhaps than almost any other subject
which can be named. The cube, In Its various
divisions and combinations, furnishes very good,
perhaps the very best, drawing exercises which
can be put into the hands OF pupil The draw
ings IL made directly from the figures themselves
In their various forms and positions, would be GER
tain 10 avoid a rad,eal deIsa now common, indeed
almost universal, in drawing lessons as given In
schools and elsewhere.
The most common drawing exercise Is nothing
more nor less than copying pictures, which however
long continued, never eDlists the energies Of the
IL. =. H. q k.Nt he al
ters and never can enter into the spirit OF the sub
iect The uniform result, or nearly so, OF this fall
lacious instruction Is, that the pupil after taking
drawing lessons, is supposed, for years, is more
reluctant ia attempting an original Skaeh or show
ing a thing in It's picture made by himself than
Young pupils in their very first attempts AZ using
q pencil This statement, though presenting
sad defect and q very general deception on the
part OF teacher pupil, and parent, IL as fully sub
stantiated by facts and experiments as IL Is posi-
Bile for facts and experiments TO subStantiate any
truth The most skIIlf1l drawlng-masters uni
formly place before their pupils the regular sol
dsD 10 actual visible form, for some Of their very
6rst lessons This Is evidently commencing at
the very foundation Of the whole subject, and
prepares the hand 10 execute, and mind TO under
stand and appreciate, any work which may follow
Ia the train thus commenced. The mathematical
solids, especially the cube, may be so divided and
combined as 10 represent different parts OF build
ings, tools, and utensils Of various kinds, which,
II drawn into correct perspective, prepare any
person 10 give q correct drawing Of any building
be may wish erected, any machine he may wlsh
patented or any tool he may desire made.
ExrKRMEsT--An author aud teacher Of draw
ing lessons, extensive In both, had In New York a
" Juvenile Art Unionp--a quarterly exhibition Of
original drawings by bis pupils-Oonnected with