The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-05-28
Learn a Trade.

The advantages Of learning a trade are
both material and moral. The material
profit lies in the fact that experts in the
cardinal departments of skilled manual
labor are, on the whole, in greater and
more continued demand, at better and
more uniform wages, than any other class
of laborers. Men of book learning, or mere
elegant accomplishments, are frequently
stranded helpless en- the shores of society.
Their wares are not wanted, and they have
nothing else to offer. Who has not heard
of the traditional master of seventeen dead
languages reduced to the necessity of saw
ing wood for a living? 1t is true, this
character has appeared so often in the
newspapers that his existence anywhere
else may be deemed mythical; but he lives
as general type, if not as concrete indi-
vidual, and he will serve to point our
moral. There are few places in the world
where learned men find remunerative EN-
ployment; but what inhabited country does
not welcome and reward the skillful shoe
maker OF blacksmith? Literary men and
scholars cannet associate for mutual pro-
lection, as do members of trade; and
they are consequently never sure, except in
case of remarkable ability, Of comfortable
lives.
But we do not mean to decry literature
and learning; only to urge upon all, even
the devotees of these pursuits, men or
women, the great advantage of mastering
trade. To call ones self painter, or
mason, or carpenter, however, is not to
master the trade; nor does joining a trade
union make good workman. The old
fashioned system of the guilds has passed
away, and its modern successor, the ap-
prentice system, is fast following. These
institutions at least thoroughly taught the
routine of mechanical practice; and we are
now in transitional state, where it seems
as if the ancient manual and faithfulness
were dying out. But we believe these are
to be replaced by something better. Our
mechanics are beginning to study, not
merely the manipulations, but the princi
pies of their business. 1t is becoming ne
cessary to understand the science of even
handiworks. The stolid workman, who
persists in following blindly the example of
some reading, thinking fellow-craftsman,
who has seized the principles involved i'll
his work, and devised new and better meth
DDS for their application.
This leads us to consider the intellectual
and moral advantages of mastering trade.
Even if a young man does not expect to be
obliged to work with his own hands for a
living, though ne man, in this country,
can say with certainty that he will always
remain above this necessity even if he
proposes to acquire knowledge for its own
sake of personal improvement merely, he
will find it far better to begin with a
thorough knowledge of some trade. His
subsequent reading and observation will be
more systematic and more faithful
Chemists frequently find that certain sub
stances in solution will not crystalize until
some point or nucleus is introduced around
which the particles may arrange them
selves. There are many men whose heads
are fnll of knowledge in selution-diluted,
chaotic, and useless. They do not possess,
in the practical acquaintance with one ap-
plication Of science to human life, a nucleus
of crystalizatien, and they remain mere
bottles on shelf.
The best gate by which to enter the field
of science itself is that of manual trade.
The young craftsman will be led by pleas
ant paths to the study of the forces of ma
ture which he is called npon to employ;
and a knowledge of physics and chemistry
may be gained. In the present state of in
tellectual progress it is impossible for a
man to know everything that the race
knows; but it has been discovered that he
who knows one science thoroughly will be
able to understand best the general methods
and results of all. This is equally true of
trades. The manual dexterity acquired in
one business is by no means confined to
that use; and there is an analogous mental
dexterity acquired III the same way, and
applicable. when once acquired. to eyery
department of life.
Mechanics are often accuses Of ignorance
in respect to the natural sciences which
touch their calling ON every side. That re-
proach is rapidly being removed. But
there is equal reason to condemn so-called
scientific men, who, by their ignorance Of
facts familiar in practice. make themselves
ridiculous. and bring science into contempt,
or. worse vet mislead those who trust in
their supposed superior knowledge. The
cure for this evil will be the production of
trnlv scientific experts from the ranks of