The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-30
From the Philadelphia Ledger, May 81
PrOQresG nG MINK nd

The immense strides in progress which civilized
men have made within the last two centuries, are
really incredible until the subject is thoughuully
considered. Yet we do not exaggerate when we
say that a journeyman mechanic, in the present
day, lives substantially better than nobleman did
four centuries ago There still survives house
hold book, kept by one of the great Dukes of
Northumberland which leaves no doubt this
subject From that volume learn that his
grace breakfasted ale and behring's, dined
usually on boiled beef, nd was as ignorant at
supper OF the luxury OF tea coffee, he was, in
his household furniture, of carpets, sofas, hair
mattresses.
In the Poston letters, written about the middle
OF the fifteenth century, we have further evidence
oithe almost incredible want of physical comforts
among The upper classes. The Duke of Norfolk
OIL that day, one Of the greatest of English noble
men, was often in need of the smallest sums Of
money, while persons of less exalted rank had fire.
quently to submit to the greatest privations for
want OF few shings. The richest men in the
land dressed poorer, were lodi ed rudely, and
ate coarser food in those times, than any indus.
trious mechanic of our own Even as late Queen
Elzabeth's reign, the royal floors were covered
with PUSHES instead of carpet When Philip the
Second consort of Mary, Eliza beth's sister visited
Eng iano, hls couriiers wrote back TO Spain that
the people lived in butts of nettes and mud, and
slept on logs for pillows
For much of this progress the civilized world is
indebted to the use of machinery Cotton cloth,
which once had TO be spun and wove by hand, and
which consequently cost high price, is now pro
duced, by machinery, at six cents ward and
pays profit By the aid Of machinery one man
can now perform what once required thirty; and the
time saved is 80 much clear gain, to be devoted TO
either the physical comforts or the in.
teliectual Improvement of the race, or both
twenty years ago, even it would have been inn
possible to have printed the edition of the Ledger
In the entire twenty four hours by any press then
known; and the result would have been and was.
mat not one family in hundred could afford TO
Jake newspaper. And what is true of printing
and OF the manufacture of cotton CLOTH s true also
OF nearly every other necessary of our present
physical or intellectual life.
1t is TO the increase Of machinery and its i'm
provement that we look for the real elevation of
mankind. Every hour saved in this way from
unavoidable labor redeems man, so far forth, from
the slavery OF living to exist, and bles him 20
cultivate the higher faculties of his mind and SOUL
to rise, in word, TO the true dignity of manhood
Ii in two centuries the journeyman mechanic
has overtaken the noble, what greater triumphs
may We not look for In the centuries TO come The
progress OF mankind, indeed, has only begun
GREAT Snow sTos IN ENeLANp IN MAY-Tbe
English papers give accounts Of q severe snow
storm at Holmhrth, England. on the 9th of May
II commenced showing violently at six O'Clock in
the morning, and continued without intermission
throughout the day. The railway trains were de-
four feet deep the hiils, and eighteen inches
the plains and valleys. The trees on the verge of
bursting into full leaf were covered with snow.
Three men got stuck fast in the snow, and bot for
timely assistance must have persisted. ra7 4
Accounts from various parts of the north and
south OF France refer to the unseasonableness OF
the weather. and state that the fields well the
mountains are covered with snow.
lBsston ISGvGier,