The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-08-28
MECHANIS NO. u.
BY JOSIAH HOLBROoK.

A turning lathe is an instrument Of science,
skill and taste boundless in each, oonsegr emily
of usefulness and pleasure. The varieties Of work
capable of being done by the lathe are numbcrless
and nameless. Each new piece Of work suggests
several others
The first most simple thing 10 be made by n
lathe il the cylinder, round stick. Next Is the
cone, a cylinder tapered to point at one end.
Then the sphere perfectly round body. These
give the starting point, the foundation, for all
other round bodies. Among the articles readily
made by lathe are boxes Of endless variety,
handles knobs for doors aud sundry other pur-
poses letter stamps, sand boxes, screws, needle
cases canes, rake teeth pins, and trundles, tops,
minerals and various tools polished, driilings
made, spools, bobbins, plates, cups, &c
Besides an endless variety Of sundries three
articles of very great Importance, each constantly
eularQinq. may be made by the lathe, as source
Of instruction, amusement, and profit TO those
preparina for future usefulness and responsibility
These are globes, surveyors compasses, and
microscopes After obtaining globe print, mot
difficult any boy, or girl either, can make their
own globes simply by turning sphere Of the
right size, and FASTING upon IL the print After
the globe is covered. paint and varnish will put
on the finish the whole exactly fitted TO young
hands and inquistive minds. With globes, balls
for orreries, telluriums, and other astronomical
and geographical illustrations viii naturally come
In the train
b. the use Of a lathe, every boy can make his
own surveyors compass II would Of course be
simple lust such as would be best fitted for his
6rst experiments in surveying The boz could
be made OF wood, TIE needle magnetized by the
pupil himself and The figures for the dial.plate,
the sight, and every thing essential for his
surveying experiment could be made by the
pupiPs own hands His scientific knowledge
and his practical skill would begin and advance
together
Microscopes vary In price from twenty -fve
cents 10 FIVE hundred dollars BY little skill In
the use of the lathe any boy girl OF ten years old
could grind lens for a simple microscope, TO be
used by themselves and their friends Perhaps
II would be difficult 10 conceive Of y much more
instructive or entertaining household utensil or
pocket companion than q microscope. II virtually
creates new world, surrounding us on every
side. IL may well be doubted whether any one
thing would add more 10 the amount Of human
happiness than a microscope or magnifying glass
10 every family In the world, especially II made
by the younger members
II Is not necessary further 10 enlarge upon the
uses Of a turning lathe 10 show Its great import
ance as en- instrument OF instruction and enter
tainment In every school and family too. NOODe
can doubt that II would do more 10 cure truants
and prevent rowdyism than the largest supply Of
the juice Of fhs behn In schools, or houses ofref-
uge for Juvenile delinquents on every other cor
ner OF the streets In all our principal cities.
ExPERiMErrs.-W Within few weeks past sun
dry teachers and parents 10 Washington have
encouraged their pupils and children 70 prepare
specimens OF writing, drawing, mechanism, &c, a.
offerings 10 patriotism and TO science, 10 be dis
tributed by the hands OF Government functiona-
ries, both OF our own and foreign countries, for
exhibition st agricultural fairs, &c. AZ could be