The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-26
Democracy OF Science.-No. 22.
RY JOSIAH HnLpRooK.

Two great facts manifest and every day becoming
more so--the legislation OF our country, and our
whole country, is directed prominently TO the promoloh
OF practical science, and the literature OF our country
changing from light solid, from trashy to substantial
Bylegislative acon-Sate and naiional-hundreds oil
millions have been expended within few years past iof
the development and application of natural resources
Half million has been expended on the geological sur
vey OF New York alone and large sums IN other States
aided by thorough and greatly extended surveys under
the general government Some five hundred millions
have been expended railroads, nearly as much per-
haps canals, and very large sums on teegraphs by
many OF the States bureaus of agriculture haze been
established and agricultural societies. both for States and
counties, common through our entire country Some
of our colleges provided with professors OF agrcu-
ture and agricultural departments IN some cases. added
to academies and several institutions are proposed-per-
haps in operaonfor The express purpose OF instruction
in agriculture and mechanism Even IN common prima-
nv schools elementary treatises agriculture are used as
aided by cabinets OF geology and other specl
mems. both of Nature and art Some schools are pro-
vided with surveyors instruments, used on excursions
BY the pupils render thorough their surveys Tor
exploring the general resources OF the surrounding coun
try The time is distant when surveyors compass
will be considered essential appendage TO every school
and excursions for using them Indispensable exercise
for pupils everywhere in the country. The elements OF
agriculture and mechanism, evidently embracing the ele
ments of Naure-animals vegetables, and mlnerals-are
10 De Recognised as
primary instruction. and that by experiment and OBJ
servaton than by abstract theories from books.
The spirit of the age must control the literature, the
reading OF the age When science is universally cult
waited scientific books will be universally read. New and
better books science will be furnished coming out IN
quick successon 10 meet the demands OF society, and
supply the OF business. Scientific reading will bt
the fashionable reading OF the day. Even now the fash
ionabe science of Europe is agriculture well il ma,
be, being, ttruly is the science OF all sciences.
From the statements OF booksellers, this change has al
ready commenced in good earnest The aashy ANIMALS
recently all the fashion, say they, dead and not one
third OF the trashy light reading of various descriptions
called for five years since find at present any demand
II books of the most substantial character nc. yet
general demand, those the most light and rling ar
greatly in disuse
"WoRLD's FAIRS" and " FAIRS" all over the world
are becoming-have become-the fashion OF the age. A
this momen, less than three Worlds Fairs in th
process Of preparation; there may be many others. ii
aid of INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITIONS" for farmers mechan
les, and other classes, the public press brought large
ly into requisitien, the more such exhibitions are ex
tended, the the attention OF the press will be alb
sorbed by them. The scientific surveys extend
ed the the press will become engine of science
Let scientific surveys become The regular exercises
schools, and newspapers the organs of those surveys
and the schools will have vehicles OF knowledge
always fresh, and papers fields OF labor always
larging. Who does not that such time is near,
that when it comes scientific literature will be the fash
ionable literature OF our country and The world