The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-25
Foo the Union.


Ely JOSIAH HoLBRook.
Next 10 making surveyors instruments by young hands
would be excursions for using them Such excursions
would combine instruction, amusement, and healh-in
no way untitled for girls and for boys OF the most sub
eaniial benefit. no matter what their future vocaons
An acquaintance with setting the compass ascertain
the direction OF fence, road stream of water or other
object carrying the chain 10 determine the distance
length OF certain ine keeping field book, and sandry
other operations IN practical surveying could be rendered
familiar by very few excursions, which would of
course be entered into with great spirit by any company
OF boys or girls in the world
With surveying instruments, hammers. chisels. and
bags, Tor examining and collecting minerals, would come
in play most OPPORTUNITY To these might be added PEN
ellis and paper for making sketches in different depart
menis OF natural history, OF natural scenery OF buildings,
public works, or any interesting object which might
come under view. An afternoons excursion for these
several objects. all combined would furnish ample and
profitable work for the next day; indeed, to fill up the
leisure Time Tor week in preparation for another occa
sion OF the same character.
Among the exercises mechanism furnished by such
operations would be penmanshp, drawing. sketchng
routes plans and other designs for business purposes,
both private and public, and almost nnumerabe kinds OF
work directly connected with farmers and mechanics
indeed everybody, whether in business scientific pur
suits, either OF the lowest highest of human under
lakngs The farmer, by science thus reduced prac-
tce, would use more skill and economy in dividing and
fencing his fields, in apportionng his grounds 10 their
respective uses, in planning and constructing his build
ngs, indeed in every department of his most noble
patton Not only farmers but merchants and all classes
wishing for the erection of buildings, could be their
architects Tar more certain to avoid fraud and TO be
furnished with such houses they desired and expected
than under the system now common in building opera
ralions
II all the boys and girls too all schools could be in
sructed, entertaned and nvgorated by excursions for
geology, botany surveying pencillngs drawings &c.,
the whole race would have sounder minds in sounder
bodies, and few from the whole would become skul
and professional artists engineers, naurals and anna
tours, and patrons of practical science thus to be ex-
tended without limits Grounds for complaints,
mon, indeed almost universal BY parents and other pa
irons OF schools that very small returns are received for
the vast OUTLAWS Tor them in time, tuition, books and
dry materials, would in agrea be removed The
immense expense incurred simply from the change Of
books now felt SO severely, would in great measure
be avoided If varied systematic, and thorough lessons
were taken from the books of all books-Crea
would matter but little what other books were used az
aids.
Recommendation several years past the amusements
OF August hoydays have been greatly enriched by SCI
ENTIFIc EXCURSIONS" Those now at hand NAV doubtless
by such occasions be richer than any which have pre-
coded them. Nearly every boy and girl in Washington
New York, and many other places familiar with the
minerals composing the elements OF mountains, rocks
and Soils with many admired for their beauty as readily
TO form collections TO take send their friends less
quainted with these important elements of knowledge
Aids 10 science thus rendered would enable pupils
clay those going into the country, procure valuable
additions for their school cabinets large portion OF
such collections IN schools have been contributed
by the pupils, especially reassemblng at the close OF
August holydays.