Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-08-23
MECHANISM, No. xW.--B, JosIAa Hotssoox.
ron raz NATIONAL rurxIIrsxncxa.

NATIONAL IHrxLLrsxncKn.
The grand pivot which must turn the whole machine
Y for eecng the purposes Of science, wealth, and morals
"SELr INSTRUCTION." The motto Nature before books
and drdsong before Wrting, constantly acted upon, would
do much such instruction, to fix such pivot The
sentiment has been that books the first, the principal
and almost the only instruments to t young beings for their
future vocslions. II is Other sentiments which
will bear the of and of universal expert
ence, have taken the place of that equally preposerous and
thousands upon thousands OF the very
best minds created.
In German schools recitaions on most subjects are con-
Quoted without any use of book, either by the pupil
teacher That should be- In some perhaps ALL of the
normal schools In this country Is Fundamental prin
cpe that before the pupils qualified to teach, they must
be able conduct Rotations without the of books In
address by Daniel Webster, given months SINCE at
Agricultural Fair, be remarked, San the knowledge
get from books is very little, and that little not worth much
As aids Of knowledge, books are good as the principal
dependence, they false, and sadly disastrous
The moment the eye the hand and the heart generally
take the place Of books the principal sgents Of instruction.
truants will be heard of rowdes who only
having taken several degrees advance will be out Of
written g To LET !" and the place upon dockets
for !" Michigan conspiratos" will be left blank.
No subjects for placing upon this grand pivot" for
curing the agency Of the eye, hand and heart sp
prop,iae than the first principles" Of farming and
chansm To collect and arrange specimens Of geology show
ing the elements of Soils to prepare and perform chemical
perments showing the nature Of those elements to make
and combine the elementary figures forms Of mechanism,
showing the endless varieties Of beauty and utility furnish
to active spighty, generous young spirits the objects Of
their eager pursuit. sources rich and greatly varied nsuc
tom employment for their active minds objects for their
lofty asprngs They bring into action in aid Of each other
the eye, hand, and heart-muscle, mind, and soul.
The process 10 simple, Direct easy, and certain the
operations delightful and the fruits rich and abundant
It can be commenced any day moment in any school
family IN the whole world, when the parent or teacher wishes
to have So Let any teacher say to bis pupils Children
you may go out and how many different kinds Of stone
you find, and bring in one Of each kind ard
NET OF AsRIcULTURAL GEoLosY will be we'll commenced
The Names properties, and of these beginnings with
others coming in their train, will be certain follow
Not certain how, but certain to come in some way.
Let the same teacher, any teacher parent say the
young spirits under his guidance, you may draw upon your
ates or cut from paper figure with three equal Sides be-
ing careful that the sides all exactly equal done the
most important element in the mechanism of the universe
rich, beautifully and gorouss actually formed by the hands
of company of animated SELF INsTnucToRs" The next
step, and all steps which may follow in endless progression
in the delightful employment, in the rich instruction, under
the inspiring motive of unfolding the glorious works Of
God gorousy and wonderfully exhibited in the mechan
ism Of the heavens and Of the earth, will be equally simple
with the first better suggestion thss great and inter-
esng subject perhaps cannot be made than for all schools
on their next opening, to try the experiment in the first les
sons as proposed on Agriculture and Mechanism.
ExfER1MEsr.-A teacher in New York had pupil who
quring the various ordinary lessons from books At the
geson and persuasion of the teacher the parent encouraged
bis son in collecting for their home Cabinet of Cuios
ties" Almost Immediately the rebel son and pupil became
the delight Of the family and the ornament Of the school,
No. XVIII
Legislative enacments indicate the present attitude and
secure the future progress Of applied science, especially Of
agricultural and mechanca science. Within the past year
large part the State Legislatures have made for the
promotion Of scientific agriculture and mechanism or had
those subjects under consideration probably for future
mens In Florida bureau Of agriculture ordained BY
their last Legislature. In North Carolina the Governor
authorized by the Legislature to procure general scientific
exploration Of the State. In Virginia appropriation was
ordered OF SIX thousand dollars annually for series of years.
for the promotion of practical science in special connection
with agriculture and the mechanic In South Carolina
effective mes ures are in progress for developing and apply
ing the natural resources Of the soil also in Mississippi In
Arkansas scientific exploration of the State before the
last Legislature, and operations for that
not BY legislative enactment least by individual enter
prise and patriotism Senator BoRLAxD has been and is ac
lively engaged in forwarding this important object Of State
policy.
board Of agriculture and agricultural school were
commended to the last Legislature of Pennsylvania by the
Governor and Secretary Of State professor Of agriculture
provided for Washington College, of that State More
than half million Of dollars have already been expended for
geological survey of the State of New York, and large
sum for that Of Pennsylvania also for all the New Eng
land STATES Thedeveopmeno Of pro-
motion OF science through schools and Otherwise pro
nent before the Legislature Of Missouri Wisconsin
and Iowa, BY private scientific enterprise by legislative and
Congressional patronage have opened resources both Of
wealth aud Of science, from their mines and other natural
riches Individuals Of influence in Illinois and Indians with
aid bestowed in prospect from their Legislatures are aim
ing to have reading lessons in agricultural geology and
mechanism introduced into all the schools Efforts are max
ing for the same object in various States.
Agricultural schools have been warmly commended before
the Legislatures of several States with confidence of final
Mccess. If State schools specifically for agriculture and
mechanism cannot be established every school nov existing
every State teach both agriculture and mechanism by
simple, direct and effective process BY introducing some
simple reading lessons those subjects at the same time
encouraging the pupils make collections Of minerals con-
nected With agriculture, also prepare drawings both ag
culture and mechanism, any school may. any day or
hour, without legislative enactment be changed into school
of science, bob for farmers and mechanics.
In aid OF such exercises the Maryland Agricultural Society
have offered premiums for juvenile collection whether ia
nature aof mineral vegetable productions Of draw
ngs Of implements of vegetables animals or indeed Of
any thing showing juvenile Improvement in science or art
Such specimens exhibited at any agricultural fair would
doubtless be properly noticed and rewarded either BY prev
Gus provision otherwise
ExfERIMEST.-Some young ladies in school in New
York sent Agricultural Fair held the last season some
specimens Of their drawing On the walls Of the school
now suspended side BY se the drawings thus or
hbted and diplomas awarded by the society to the young
artists for their industry, skill, and improvement
No. XIX.