Smyrna times., 1859-05-19
MISCELL Ian EO U S.
THE EVILS OF SCIENCE.

Science has wrought out immense advanta-
pes for mankind, and we are therefore apt TO
regard the " triumphs of science" as we term
them, as yielding only benefits. But, like the tree
of "the knowledge Of good and evil science
Yields two-fold crop; and although the good
predominates the evil is so extensive as to do
much harm. We may see the evidence of this
every day. The art of photography gl4ddens
millions of hearts by faithful pictures Of loved
ones, while it ministers to that appreciation OF
the beautiful which is found in every breast, by
its marvellous dellneationS Of other natural OBJ
iects. Yet this exquisite art enables the coun-
,erGeter 10 initiate with exact tanhfulness the
hills of any bank he may select thus putting 1t
in his power to rob the community of thousands
ofdoUars. and making him more to be dreaded
than an army of highwaymen, since he operates
in secret and his mischief is widespread. A
kaowledge of chemistry has become indispensa-
bIe for the comfort of civilized community but
h, il the very food and drink we consume are
in MANY instances converted into slow poisOns,
in order to enrich Inscriptions men. Pure
wines are almost az anomaly. Large manu-
f,etories are established to make a spurious ar
tele. and from whiskey, cider, low-cost wine,
or some other cheap ma terial, are produced, by
means Of drugs and dyswoods, all the varieties
of wines from Johannisberg to Port. To speak
of the sparkling wine," is almost figure of
speech, while to say "generous wine would
be quite ridiculous, since anything "sllnon
nre" is rarely to be found outside of the wine
growers private cellar.
IL reaulres confidence 10 sit down 10 the most
tempting dinner, since a late writer IN hthe
Ea,ckerbocker declares that our flour contains
sluu,. bone dust, powdered tllnts, and plaster OF
Paris-our bread, in addition, chalk, plpe-clay,
carb. ammonia. sulphate of copper aud sulPhate
Of znc-our sugar, among other" "light lngre-
dents. lead, iron, sand-our cocoa and choco-
late. Venetian red, red ochre, lard, tallcw-our
tea. besides half a hundred kinds of leaves,
carome yellow, soapstone, Prussian blue, arsen-
lie Of copper, potash, and similar Wholesome "
.ulslances-our pickles, even salts OF copper
cur honey, pipeclay, and our vinegar, sulphuric
acid! In vain would good digestion wait on
appetite after a meal in which such dellcacles
formed part of the feast.
In suiphuric ether science gave to suffering
humanity a balm of sovereign power. 1t robs
wouads Of their pain, prolongs life, and trans
forms the knife of the surgeon from an lnstru'
ment of tortue into harmless tool. But IN the
hands of the vicious and depraved this beneh-
agent becomes an instrument for the commits
sion of Infamous crimes. Steam annhlfate;
tine and space, and human life, too, as We
learn at a fearful cost every year. The sewing
machine lightens the burdens of many house
wives aud chea pens clothing for the million
bot hundreds of women in our shoe-manutdctu
rIag towns have been deprived by 1t of high
and profitable source of employment, Will
their poor sisters in the cities, who IS stitch
stitch, stich," till body and mind are wear.
sad faint, are driven to a still fercer strugg
for bread, and perchance to life OF crimes an
misery. Science can save life; it is employe
10 destroy it. Happiness is promoted BY It, an
misery caused by it, but only because man
Inscriptions and abuses it. The good of Sc
ence overpoweringly predominates, but tbs we
sometimes to look at the diverse side.-BOStO
Journal.