Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-06-18
ADDRESS OF PROFESSOR HENRY.

AT the close of the Exhibition of the Metropolitan Me-
chanics Institute, it becomes my duty to offer
marks relative to the objects and organization of the AS
ISOLATION; and in addition to these, shall beg leave to
call your attention to points which present them
selves more prominently to my mind, amidst the extended
field Of the history of mechanical inventions.
The object Of this institution twofod First the i'm
provement of mechanics and artists second the improve
ment of arts and inventions.
These two objects inseparaby connected and the
one necessarily follows consequence of the other
Whatever tends to develop the mind of the workman
tends to advance the condition of his art Every
rial operation and every invention is founded law
OF Nature and the more intimately the operator is
quanted with the principles of his the better is he
fitted to improve it. Without knowledgeof science the
practice of art is mere enprcism-often involving ope
raons which not only unnecessary the production
of the desired result, but frequently detrimental
The savage who RECEIVERS his health after drinking from
mineral spring considers his due the
efficacy of the water but also to the position of his body
at the time of drinking whether facing the east the
west to the number of drauehts, and perhaps, in
cases. he deems it necessary previously to propate the
spirit of the fountain by sacrifice of object of value
We need not 60 savage life for examples of this kind
In many parts of our country-even among men
otherwise inellgent-certain mechanical and agrcuu-
raj operations are connected with supersttous obser
of the most ridiculous and nconvenent character
knowledge of the principles of the art to emi
nate these point out the necessary and essential
conditions of its practice and to facilitate the introduce
ton of improved methods On the other hand every i'm
proyement in the mechanic arts general rule tends
to elevate the character of the arzan and render his
employment intellectual
1t is proposed in this institution improve the work
by lectures collections of specimens of nature and
art, library and reading room; and to advance the
arts by exhibitions and by the examination of such
inventions may be submitted to the judgment of the
Institute For conducting this part the plan of opera
ton permanent Committee of Science and Arts will be
formed combining amongst its members theoretical know
ledge with practical skill.
There is place in the United States in proportion
the number of its mechanics well adapted support
an efficient institution of this kind the city of Wash
ington. 1t offers examples of ingenious nven
tons and processes The models of the Patent Office the
instruments of the Observatory of the Coast Survey of
the Typographical Bureau, the processes of the Navy
Yard and of the Arsenal illustrations of the useful
readily accessible and of the most instructive kind More
over city of the Union Of the size command
so large number of scientific men-namely, those be-
longing to the army and the navy, and the institutions
established here. Any association which tends to bring
these into harmonious cooperation with the practical
chanics of the place may and doubt will be produc
tive of important results.
The Institute has commenced its existence under very
suspicious circumstances and has found favor with the
wise and the liberal. Notwithstanding this the enter
prise is unfraught with danger and those who were
instrumental in establishing 1t assumed responsibility
Of small weight They evoked power which may be
determined good evil which, while it is capable
Of comforting blessings this city and this country may
be the means Of propagatng and of administering
to the selfish ends Of designing There is city in
which society Of this kind requires be strictly
guarded against baneful influences The partisan pe
clan may attempt to make it the stepping Of his po
enrich himself by pratng the abors of humble and
obtrusive genius the specuator who wishes to impress
Congress with the Importance to the country and TO the
world of scheme intended to benefit himself alone will
be untrng in their endeavors obtain the certificates
and recommendations Of the Institute. They will ap-
proach its judges and its committees with soft words and
insnuang manners and will not hesitate to offer brides
in such sophstica that, while the cupidity is
cited the conscience is lulled to rest.
The location of this institution at the seat Of govern
ment Of this Union will all eyes upon it, and
to
influence But it must be recoected that in proportion
10 the conpcuousness of the position occupied by inst
tutions individuals, is their responsibility TO society
increased The higher they stand the must
be the principles which they are supported When
men build upon false foundation the greater their ee
walton the certain is it the prelude to their fall.
There is place in this country and acts
ore critically examined than in the city Of Washing
ton There is in which capacity honesty Of purpose,
and prudent straight forrdrd more necessary
to continued success and in which dviaons from
right whether intentional otherwise, are more readily
detected and exposed
The mere organization Of the institutions however well
1t may have been DONE is not sufficient for its perpetuy
and usefulness 1t requires the constant application Of
individual effort TO sustain the unwearied labor Of
few to infuse the constant supply Of vital
energy and these must be of high moral principle,
not only strictly honest but above suspicion of the
trary. They strict accountability to the members
OF the institution for the in which the income is
expended and to the world for the mode in which the
high duty Of acting judges Of the merit Of inventions
has been discharged The task the Judges and Of the
Committee OF Science and the Arts whom discoveries
and inventions referred is Of delicacy and diff
Guilty and should not be entrusted those
with the principles which the proposition to be
amined depends who do not possess the mental and
raj qualifications necessary the formation of
judgment 1t for the benefit Of the community that
truth should prevail and that the merits and defects
invention should be rendered distinctly manifest.
Where merit exists il should receive due credit
exaggerated praise The simple statement of what has
been accomplished all that Is needed though may
be all which generous spirit impatient to bestow No.
benes Of mind springs forward with ardor every
indication of q similar kind wherever it appears The
whole duty however in this case be expressed in two
Observation-Disclosures Thisis whatevery judge oughtto give,
and more than this ought 10 wish to receive.
II win often become the duty Of the committee Of
mnation of subjects Of science and repress the
premature zeal of visionary inventors We need only
examine the records Of the Patent Office be convinced
OF the immense expense Of time and money continually
avshed futile attempts to innovate and improve We
may safely venture to affirm that Of every fifty pro-
positions for improvements In arts mechanics forty
nine at least either useless old The object should
pe 10 distinguish and TO adopt the good and reject the
pad But while pruning the uxuriant fruit Of unculti-
Vteo invention care must be taken TO perform the task
win geneness and to show that the intention is to give
aodtona vgor to the healhful branches and to in
jure the parent plant
There no reality in ac;enca 10 a. mi. late dav 4
cannot predict that certain proposed Inventions are i'm
possible, as well declare that others are in
with established principles An honest expression Of opn
ion on such points, though be met with tho
OF REFRESHING the march OF Improvements s In
order to save the public from having its erne
tualy distracted by the excitement of aacous
tons, and the credulous from embarknp their an n
schemes which must end in disappointment and ruin