The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-07-19
MECHANISM, No. xH.-By Josiah HoIbreek


skill, and taste boundless in each, consequently
of usefulness and pleasure. The varieties Of
work capable of being done by the lathe are
numberless and nameless. Each new piece of
work suggests several others.
The first most 81 pie thing to be made by a
lathe is the cylinder, round stick. Nextis the
cone, a cylinder tapered to a 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 read ly
made by lathe are boxes of endless variety,
handles, knobs for doors, and sundry other
purposes; letter stamps, sand boxes, screws,
needle cases, canes rake teeth pins and trundles,
tops, minerals and various tools polished, drill
lings made, spools, bobbins, plates, cups, &c.
Besides and endless variety of sundries, three
articles of very great Importance, each constantly
enarging, may be made by the lathe, as a source
of instruction, amusement and profit to those
preparing for future usefulness and responsibility
These are globes surveyors compasses, and mi
croscopes. After obtaining globe print, (not
difficulty any boy, or girl either can make their
own globes, simply by turning sphere of tho
right size and FASTING it upon the print. After
the globe is covered, paint and varnish will put
on the finish the whole exactly fitted to young
hands and inquisitive minds. With globes balls
for orreries, telluriums, and other astronomical
and geographical illustrations, viii naturally
come in the train.
By the use of lathe every boy can make his
own surveyors compass 1t would, Of course
be simple, Just such rs would be best fitted for
his first experiments in surveying The box
could be made of wood, the 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 pu-
pills own hands. His scientific knowledge and
his practical skill would begin and advance to-
gether.
cents to five hundred dollars BY little skill
in the use of the lathe any boy or girl of ten
years I'D could grind lens for simple micro
scope, to be used by themselves and their friends
Perhaps it would be difficult to conceive of a
much more instructive or entertaining no sehold
utensil or pocket companion than a microscope.
1t virtually creates a new world, surrounding us
on every side. II may well be doubted whether
any one thing would add more to the amount
of human happiness than microscope or mag
nfying glass in every family in the world, espe-
cially if made by the younger members.
1t is not necessary further to enlarge upon
the uses of turning lathe to show its great i'm
portance as an instrument of instruction and en-
tertainment in every school and family too. No
one can doubt that it would do more to cure
truants and prevent rowdyism than the largest
supply of the 'Juice Of The birch in schools, or
houses of refuge for juvenile delDquents on
every other corner Of the streets in all our prin-
cipal cities
ExPERrMENTs.--Within few weeks past
sundry teachers and parents in Washington have
encouraged their pupils and children to prepare
specimens Of writing, drawing, mechanism, &c,
as offerings to patriotism and to science to be
distributed by the hands of government func-
tionaries, b tn of our own and foreign countries,
for exhibition at agricultural fairs, &c. As could
be doubted by no one, all concerned give their
united testimony in proof of extraordinary i'm
provement, both Of the hands and minds Of pupils
thus vigorously directed to so high an object.