Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-09-25
MECHANISM.
BY JOSIAH uoLBRooK

BY JOSIAH HoLBRooK.
Farming and mechanism are the two
great pursuits Of human beings. Upon
them depend all other pursuits, both for
their success and their existence. Mer-
chants, lawyers, Judges, statesmen, poll
ticians, physicians, clergymen, artists,
commodores, generals, sailors, soldiers,
travellers, amateurs of science and art,
speculators-men, women, and children
OF every class and condition can trace
their operations, their success, and their
living, to the labors of the farmer and
the mechanic. The principles on which
are founded the operations and the sue
cess of these great pursuits must be Of
some interest to all classes, and to those
engaged in them of paramount impor-
lance. They are no more important TO
the man than interesting TO the child
To farming a wider range of science is
applicable than 10 any other pursuit.
Neither the lawyer, physician, clergy
man, college professor, nor any person
engaged in any other pursuit, has so
good opportunities, or so many occa-
slons, to become a man of sound extend
ed practical science, las the farmer. Every
farmer is a geologist, chemist, and bo-
tanlst, though he may not be aware that
he is either. He also takes many severe
lessons on entomology Lessons on
that subject cost Pennsylvania near
twelve millions of dollars in one year
7 b. IF
Every motion of every tool, whether by
the farmer or the mechanic, is a practi-
cal experiment in natural philosophy
Meieorology, as exhibited in winds, rains,
climates, elevations, and exposures,
comes directly home TO the work Of the
farmer, showing to him its importance as
subject Of knowledge. To moral sci
ence his situation is preeminently favor
able
Subjects Of science coming directly TO
the aid Of the mechanic, though less nu-
merous than those of the farmer, still
from large circle. The remark is
sometimes made that all science resol-
YES itself into chemistry and geometry.
Whether that remark is strickly true or
not, these two sciences are especially in
terestIng to mechanics. Mechanism and
practical geometry ane virtually one and
the same thing. Mechanism is the mod
ificatlon of form, which is geometry put
into practice. Mechanics also have
constant occasion to use natural philoso-
ply in It's various departments.
Under the wise ordinance of Heaven,
the sciences most essential To human
pursuits and human existence are most
eagerly sought for by the juvenile mind
InIts unadulteral ed ,unsophistcated state.
Every child since Adam has been a
=" self-instructor' in geology, chemistry,
geometry, botany, entomology, and near
~ the whole circle of natural science SO
rapid their progress, and so vast and
substantial Their acquisition in this kind
and mode of instruction, as TO render the
remark common that we learn more du-
ring the first three years OF life than in
the same time during any subsequent
period--a severe comment on schools.
Lord Brougham once remarked off
we should be deprived of what we learn
during the first three years of life, we
should be the most ignorant beings on
the face OF the globe"
Though these facts must probably
take from the mouth of any oblector the
argument or claim that young minds are
not competent 10 comprehension of
E natural science, the objection may still
: be urged that the common mechanical
exercises in reading, writing, and spell
ing might be retarded To that objec-
ton it may be replied that, under the
present six oreight years course of read
ing lessons, a good reader is the rarest
thing in the world-almost and under
a course of writing lessons of about Tho
: same length, very few write plain, full,
= leglble hand. BY course of these two
subjects, founded on practical science,
nearly every one would be natural,
good reader and a legble writer Both
, cases can be subsIantiated by facts, fully,
clearly, and trumphantly; as can the
same truth in relation to any and every
= subject of common-school instruction.
Experimental lady in Pennsylva-
e MIA once remarked that she should for
ever be grateful to those persons who
introduced the natural sciences into the
school of her children. Previously, she
had given up all hopes of her youngest
son ever learning any thing. Now his
progress in his various studies Is more
: rapid and thorough than that of his ell
: der brother, considered good scholar.
I Changes of bad scholars into good, the
worst into the best, from the same cause,
are without number.
, The following extract from a letter
{ from Hon. Eemund Burke, late Com
II missioner of Patents, is especially inter
a esiing from lis expressing the sentiment
II which, by common consent from all sec
n lions OF the country indeed. from otheI
o countres-is awarded to the series o
:, essays on Agricultural Geology and Me
" chanism by Mr., Holbrook, very widel.
S circulated by the American press, AM
er through the agency of foreign minister
81 49, Ar ,aoCa