American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-10-22
When q new field of invention has

When new field of invention has
been opened by any one, it becomes
common centre into which hundreds and
thousands throhg,.." some to improve OH
the original, and others to pirate and
rob the originator Of his just earnings"
improvements, too, succeed each other
with such rapidity that one has not
time to be fairly tested before it is su-
perseded by another; and thus all fail,
or perhaps that which has least merit,
but the most capital to advance it, tri-
umphs in the ond. Nothing is more
despicable than this disposition for tri.
fling improvements, with view of ma
king money at the expense of the orig.
inal inventor. Aman who desires fame
or money should remember that true
genius disdains to sail with the crowd
in quest of triiling improvements
''True genius is rather ambitious to
bring up pearls of its own, than solicit
tous to polish those of other men. -
The field of original invention--of
wants, and of agencies to supply those
wants-is by no means exhausted. -
In taste, we want drink little strong.
err than water, and less expensive and
injurious than wine. In agriculture,
we want a machine that will combine
the uses of the pillow, harrow and clod-
pulverizer in ono, leaving the ground
loose and free to the genial action of
the air, which the present instrument
does not. In navigation, we want in
creased speed in our sailing vessels and
ocean steamers. In the world at large,
we want o motive power that will be as
effectual and as powerful as steam, or
more SO, without requiring such costly,
weighty, and cumbersome machinery
to use it. The world is full Of wants,
which genius may reap a. rich reward
in supplying; and in the warehouse Of
nature there ere mighty agencies sleep.
ing, which at the touch of that arch.
magician's wand, will leap forth living
and obedient things. "He who would
! gain fame as an inventor must pry into
the secrets of nature, and initiate her
operations. 1t is the perfection of in.
vention to initiate nature, tho maturity
of science and art to tread in her steps, >
We have quoted the extract, at the
commencement of this chapter, from q
report made by an experienced officer
OF the patent department, as word Of
warming, that those who are wasting
their substance, and neglecting theil
business, in trifing experiments, may
pause and reflect. 1t is impossible, in
ordinary cases, for man to tell wheth
or his idea has not been thought of
again and again, and found impracti
cable; and to gain the necessary infor
nation, even if possible, would require
an expenditure of time that would be
more costly than an application for 6
patent. The study is moro intricate
than the study Of the law. This, how
ever, is another case in which warning
is useless. Invention is passion, land
when INDUCED, becomes master-pas
sion. When, therefore, the disease be
comes chronic, it is almost incurable
and the best that can be done is to APP
ply cooling ointmcnts, and let it tax,
its course. Go on, then, thou SECOND
Fulton! Invent some new improvement
in stoves, or churns, or washing boards
or chicken coops. These arc necessa
ry articles, and the world wants the
best. 1t has its eyes intensely fixec
upon you; they glisten with joy wher
your countenance gives signs Of hope
and sink in despair when your face is
detected. 1t may be that you will OBJ
tain a patent, and it may be that it will
pay its cost. fit does, invest the sur
plus in lottery tickets, and you mag
make two fortunes. r,
Remainder merit Week.)