American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-28

MHcHAsIsm, No. Ix.--pr JOSIAH Holpsoo,

mhtHAhlSm, NO. IAs---bf JOSIAH, H0LBRooK.
No one exercise in mechanism probably fur
nishes 50 much instruction or entertainment as
forming, dividing, combining, and drawing the
(" FIVE regular solids y 4 Such an exercise calls
into combined and vigorous action the hand,
head, and heart for illustrating various sciences
IN their application to numerous arts, 1t is
pre- eminently g nlultam IN parvo"-much in a
little .iA2 a ~. J g3 ~ 81
x The most simple of these five solids is the
most simple figures with length, breadth, and
thickness, that can be made. Itcan he formed
by any hand eight years old in FIVE minutes A
piece of pasteboard divided into four eluilate-
raj triangles may be folded in an instant into
this figure Twenty of these most simple solids,
combined in their most compact form, give the
most eomplsx Of the FIVE regular solids, Twenty
tetrahedrons form an icosahedron Each OF
these may be formed into very numerous COM
binations of themselves, and in connexion with
each other, and both with the octahedron and
other solids may produce forms literally with
out 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
divisions and combinations than either Of the
figures just named. These divisions and combi-
nations 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 combinatious, fur
nishes very good, perhaps the very best, drawing
exercises which can be put into the hands of o
pupil The drawings, if made directly from the
figures themselves in their various forms and
positions, would be certain to avoid aradicas
defect now common, indeed almost universal, in
drawing lessons, as given in schools and else
where. The most common drawing exercise is
Il fh.r,
which, however long continued, never enlists
the energies of the soul, for the simple reason
that the soul never enters and never can enter
into the spirit of the subject The uniform result,
or nearly So of this faacious instruction is, that
the pupil after taking drawing lessons, as is sup
posed for years, is more reluctant in attempt
ing an original sketch, or showing thing in its
picture made by himself, than young pupils in
their very first attempts at using pencil. This
statement, though presenting sad defect,
and very general deception on the part of
teacher, pupil, and parent, is as fully substan-
tiated by facts and experiments as it is possible
for facts and experiments to substantiate any
truth The most skilful drawing masters uni
formly place before their pupils the !" regular
solids +" in actual visible form for some OF their
very first lessons. This is evidently commen-
cling at the very foundation of the whole sub
ject. and prepares the hand to execute, and
mind to understand and appreciate, any work
which may follow in the train thus commenced.
The mathematical solids, especially the cube,
may be 80 divided and combined as to represent
different parts of buildings, tools, and utensils
Of various kinds, which, II drawn into correct
perspective, prepare any person to give Oor
rect drawing of any building he may wish
erected, any machine he may wish patented,
or any tool he may desire made.
ExpLRIMENT.-An author and teacher Of
drawing lessons, extensive in both, had in New
York a I" Juvenile Art -Union"--a quarterly ex.
hibition Of original drawings by his pupils
connected v ,ith various schools in the city. The
younger pupils just commencing their work
uniformly ent> ,red heartily ana successfully ntS
the exhibitions, while the older pupils, having
had as they sup posed drawing lessons for years
as uniformly dec Jared themselves unable to pre-.
pare any oyfginal pieces for these interesting oc-
casions.