Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-07-15


Simplicity and vsstness mark the works II
Sod These arr especially the strnng fea-
lures ia the mechanism Of the Universe. -
The term mechanism. in the largest and mi
nutest sense Of the word. presents vast idea
Ia suhject incxhsustibly rich. incxprcssibly
beautiful. and illimitably useful A telesco
pic and microscopic view Of the subject is in-
dispensable even 10 limited comprehension
Of 1t. The mechanism Of the heavens is 30
vast as 10 require telescope even 70 got a
glimpse 1t it. The work Of infusoria, or mi
croscopic animals. is wholly beyond the pow
er Of the naked eye. Vegetable mechanism.
in thousands of forms, is inexpressibly minute
and beautiful. when viewed b. powerful mi
croscopc. Within q square inch Of surface
in certain leaves of plants. q microscope has
shown q hundred and seventy thousand
openings Or mouths for receiving carbonic
acid gas from the az, to form the substance
u the plant--nn important fact for farmers
The animated universe. or living moving
things exhibit mechanism iuexpressiLly va
RED, rich. and beautiful. both IN their forms
and motions. A fsh never moves fn. a
bird wing. centipede foot. quadruped
a limb. OF human being 6nger, without
an exhibition Of somc principle Of mechanism.
The infinitely varied forms Of natural objects.
embracing animal, vegetable. and mineral
creation, are far beyond the comprehension
Of sny human being within the period Of the
longest natural life. Able IIauy. Of France.
spent his whole life on the subject Of crystal
logvsphy--the forms and relations Of mineral
substances. The most finished human arch
itect, either in ancient or modern times.
though producing works to be admired
through ages. is . mere point, well nigh a
dark speck, when compared with the Great
Arcitcct Of the Universe. When compared
with the vastncss. the richness. tho beauty
the sublimity. the glory Of the architecture Of
tho heavens and Of the earth--tho orbits Of
tho planets and the structure Of leaves and
the microscopic work Of insects, human arch
itecture Is poor indeed
While mechanism, In the broadcast sense Of
the word. has . stretch too far. and disi-
sion too minute. for any human power. during
any human life. 10 comprehend, tho elements
Of the whole are entirely within the reach Of
n child Of Eve. or even three years old The
most important element is the most simple
object Of human observations simple three
sided figure. or cquilatcral triangle. Such
figure every pupil in any school Of Eve or Eve
hundred scbolars may form. 1t least approx
innate. any moment when the opportunity
should be afforded by their teacher. simply
by placing before them states and pencils
with permission to use them. Several Of
these figures combined exhibit the iiiechan-
ism Of the snow fake. Combined in differ
eut form. they show the crystal Of the dia.
mond, Of gold, Of iron. Of lead. ana Of nearly
hundred fofms of mineral crystals.
The next most simple figure, the square, is
the next most rich aud varied ia its combi-
nations. For human mechanism, II is even
more important than the triangle, and scarce
y less within the skill Of the child
by short series of short articles on the
subject Of mechanism. an attempt will be
made to show the Importance to every hui
man being Of familiar acquaintance with its
elements. and its entire fitness for practical
exercises in the primary instruction Of every
pupil the moment he enters school.