Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1863-06-04

1t is matter of very great surprise and re-
gret to us to hear, as we have heard, mechanics
exclaim when recommended to take this or that
mechanical work-"Oh don't want that" or
81 guess l can't afford it now,' and kindred oh .
jecions misimed and il-applied These men
were not, as many would suppose from their
exclamatons, ignorant; on the contrary, they
eagerly sought al means of obtaining practical
knowledge of their professions and were emu
lous of the first position as artisans. If their
tool. chests were examined the result would dis
close complete assortment Of the most i'm
proved instruments in use, and great many
Others not generally known, that the ingenious
makers had conlriveI for special needs and ends.
When the holrs of labor were tranSpirng. the
men of whom we speak were diligent at their
duty but when their work was done those men
lost sight OF every thing and let the "shop" go
until the next day. A proper relaxation of the
mental powers is ust as necessary TO perfect
health as rest to the oyer-taxed body, but an
utter neglect of mental culture brings its own
punishment with it.
Ii is impossible for any workman to keep up
with the spirit of the age unless he consuts such
works as are published for his special benefit. Ii
he ignores utterly and wholly the discoveries
of men of science at home and abroad, he alone
will be the loser by it. A mechanic may be
very skillful, intelligent and apt at his calling,
but he does not combine all the mental energy
of the period, aud however enterprsing he may
be, there are others, his equals and superors,
who might benefit him if he would only lend an
ear to their teachings.
There are undoubtedly many seasons in the
life of an artisan, MS there are occasions in the
personal history of every individual, when he
feels Strengthened in his circumstances and un-
able to afford the small sum necessary to pur-
chase intellectual aliment. But five look upon
these papers, books, or whatever form the
knowledge is issued in, as tools, we must admit
the justice of purchasing them pt some sacrifice
of needless qualification On the one hand we
see mechanic furnishing his mechanical rep
ertoire with all modern appliances wherewith to
prosecute his business successfully, but on his
intellectual needs he expends not u cent. We
have all read the fable Of the hare and the tor
toise how the former challenged the latter to
a race, and, confident of his ability to outstrip
his toiling antagonist, set out in the morning.
ran awhile, then sa, down and slept. While he
slept the tortoise, slowly but cert ainly, devour-
ed the way and reached his goal Just as the hare
came painting up too late. The brilliant but
unleltered mechanic is the hare who runs his
race in the heyday of his powers, while the less
gifted individual, who depends not alone ON tn,
work OF bis hands, but untes brain with mus
cuar exercise achieves his end not less quickly
and much more certainly. than he who relies
blindly on mere deXterity. 1t is only bya pron
er union of intellectual cultivation with manual
deXterity that the most eminent mechanics have
succeeded and those who aim at renowu Inn
despiNe the road thereto will do well to remem
ber this hct.-Scientifc american.