The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-23
For the Union
MECHANISM, No. i--BY JOSIAH HcLDRooR.


Simplicy and vastness the works Of God. These
are especially the strong features in the mechanism OF the
universe. The term mechanism, IN the largest and mi.
nuest OF the word vast ideaa subject in
exhau bly rch nexpressiby beautiful, and imitably
useful teIescopc and microscopic view Of the subject
is indispensable to limited comprehension OF it,
fhe mechanism of the heavens is vast 10 require
telescope TO get glimpse OF it. The work OF innso.
a or microscopic animals is wholly beyond the power of
the naked eye Vegetable mechanism in thousands Of
forms is inc pressiby minute and beautiful when viewed
by powerful microscope. Within square inch oil sur
face ia certain leaves of plants, microscope has shown
hundred and seventy thousand openings or mouths Tor
receiving carbonic acid gas from he air. to form the sub
Of tho plsn,--an important fact FOR isfhers
The animated universe living moving things, ea.loa
mechanism inexpressbly varied rich, ard beauIs both
in tleir forms and motions. fish moves tn,
bird a wing a centpede foot, quadfuped limb a
human being a finger, without exhibition of some
principle form OF mechanism The Infinitely varied
forms Of natural objects, embracing ANIMAL vegetable and
mineral cteeton, far beyond the comprehension
human being within the period OF the longest natural life
Abbe Hany OF France, spent his hole life the subject
of forms and relations OF mineral sub
stances The most finished human architect, either in
cent modern times, though producing works to be ad
mired through ages Is mere point, well-n2h dark
sp,ck when pared with the Great Architect OF the
Universe. When compared with the vastness, the rich
ness the beauty the suJmity the glory OF the architecture
Of the and OF the ear,e orbits of the planets
and the OF leaves and the microscopic work Of
insects--human architecture Is poor Indeed #H
While mechanism, in the broadcast sense OF tue word, has
sire ch too far and division minute for any human
power during any human lie comprehend the elements
of the WHO'S entirely within the reach OF the child OF
fve or even Of three years old The most important Gle
mcnt the most simple object OF human observation-a
simple three sided figure, eqoilaterai triangle such
figure every pupil in any school Of FIVE or five hundred
scholars may form, least approximate. any moment,
when the opportunity should be afforded 10y their teacher
simply by placing before them states and pencils with per
mission to them Several OF these figures combined
exhibit the mechanism Of the snow lake. Combnd in
different form, they show the crystal OF the diamond, Of
gold of ron OF lead and OF nearly hundred forms OF
mineral crystals.
The next simple figure, the square is the next most
rich and varied In its combinations. For human mechan
ism II is more important than the triangle, and
sea rcely less within the skill Of the child
Nv short series OF short article the subject ofmechan
ism an attempt will be made show the Importance to
every human being OF familiar acquaintance with its ele
ents and fitness for practical exercises In the
urinary instruction Of every pupil the moment lac enters
school,