, 1853-03-26
Gll9 9914 a N9OO9 ia
From the Cincinnati Commercial
Mechanic Arts and Scientific Inventions.

The age in which we live is noted for
many remarkable features which distinguish
il from every era which has preceded it,
We de not refer particularly to the wide
diffusion Of liberal views of government, or
ihe standard Of popular intelligence, by
which the present century is so honorably
distinguished. If it could boast of no other
pre-eminence, these peculiarities alone wo'd
give il illdsrious rank among the "ages," I"
The trait which gives character 10 the 10th
century, is the wide diffusion Of "material"
prosperity among the masses-the comfort
able and independent footing upon which
The people stand, compared with the popu
alion in any former era. Persons Of ro-
mantle dispositions, when they strike their
luneful harps, still deplore the "good old
tines" bui after all that can be said in fa-
yOF Of primitive innocence and simplicity,
lhe present generation have been permitted
10 skim off the very cream Of the enchanted
goblet Of Time. II is undeniable that pow
.Crty sill haunts the world with its squalor
and wretchedness, and that vice and crime
are sill rampant wherever men do congre-
gate But still, there has been great i'm
provement on former times in the condition
oflhs most degraded and destitute classes.
The arrangements for the reliei and meliora-
lion of every form of suffering and destitu-
hon in every country, are now mdch more
complete and efficient, than in any past cen
tary. The. charitable and benevolent enter
prises, institutions and associations, by which
eTerylpeople in our dayis 50 pre-eminently
distinguished, exert an incalcuable influence
InldiminishinG the general sum of human
misery, and render the condition, even of
the destitute, The helpless aud dependent, a
comparative paradise contrasied with the
previous eras. ....,. -..H
There is no doubt that this favorable
change in the condition of society, is owing
in some degree 10 the diffusion Of those lib
eral sentiments of equality which the politi-
cal revolutions OF modern times have prop
agated 10 the spread Of the Christian reli-
giOn and the harmoniziDg influences il has
sIerted-also to the general dissemination
Of knowledge And intelligence among the
nasrs Of mankind. The first and last
mentioned of these causes, have no doubt
contributed powerfully 10 elevate the indi-
viduals who compose the masses, to posi-
hon of comparative pecuniary independence
and comfort and the Christian religion has
e!1erted very salutory influence in giving
impulse and animation 10 the spirit of be-
nevolence. But it would be unjust to at
Tribute The suffering of past ages entirely 10
the want of will in the more prosperous
classes, to relieve its condition. Much ol
he apparent inhumanity with which those
ages are repfoaehed, resulted fton want Of
We means, 10 relieve the sorrows of the af
Ale'ed. In this respect we possess an meal
ellahle advantage over all the generations
Which have preceded us.
The primary cause Of the superiority oI
OUT own times in the characteristics we
nave mentioned, is to be found in the i'm,
pFovcment and extension Of the mcchanica
arts. The triumphs of scientific aud me
Chanlcal ingenuity, have given power t,
'l' nan Of the l9th century, whch wOul,