Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-07-27

| OF a field OF lnYeStlgat0n untouched.
There is also defniteness and precision in
| the results of the applications of science to
! useful purposes which can be reached in no 9TH
| er manner. Every secoHd of time, every ponnd
| of material, every footpound Of useful or use
| less work has its recognized economic value
| These constitute some of the most important,
but not all of the merits of the application of
| science to industrial pursuits.
There is still another class of men, small in
| numbers, labOrious workers, usually uncon-
nected with business pursuits, to whom as
| class no better name can be applied, perhaps,
than Investigators. They are usually rewarded
| by the distinction in which they are held by the
| world as men of science and genius. Many
among them have, perhaps, too great proclivi-
| ~ for looking rather contemptuously upon the
humble workers in lower spheres of scientific To-
| Dor, forgetting that the men who invented the
| steam engine, the sewing machine, the reaper,
| and the spinning machine may well deserve
| the admiration and gratitude of mankind, and
| that improvements in machinery or in systems
| of work often involve as high degree of intel.
lectual effort as the discovery of an asteroid or
anew chemical element.
Nevertheless there can be no more forcible H.
| lustratiOn of the value of scientific knowledge
for uselulpurposes, than is exhibited in the dis
coveries which these explorers of the outer
| limits and bounds of knowledge contribute to
mankind as their share of useful work. We are
indebted to this class of investigators for The
results Of all the discoveries in chemistry, for
the electric telegraph, for the important princi-
pies and laws of heat, for geological science for
mineralogy, zoology, and mathematical science.
The bases Of many of the most important in
| dustries have been first disclosed by pure scien-
titic research and investigation. In this respect
there is no science so fruitful in results as the
science of chemistry. 1t would require q vol
ume to enumerate in detail the industrial opera
tons which depend on the applications of this
science; a few illustrations only can be men,
toned: 1t is well know that in many parts of
California gold occurs associated with metallic
sulphuretS; and for long time all attempts to
reduce these ores by economical processes failed.
In 1858 Plattner German chemist, discovered
that chlorine gas acts as colyent for gold with
out combining with the oxides of the other met
ais; and he announced the discovery as applica-
Bile to the California mines Within ten years
thereafter, there were numerous establishments
erected at those mines which continue TO the
present day, employing large numbers Of men
and extracting large quantities.of gold, yearly,
from these once worthless ores.
The constituents of coal tar, that disagreea-
BILE product Of gas works, which for a long time
was thrown away as waste, were discovered not
many years since, by purely chemical analysis,
to produce those exquisite dyes, the manufac-
ture of which now gives employment to thou
sands. The production Of "Bessemer" and
"SiemenS-Martin" steel, which has opened other
new channels of industry and given to the
world new material for internal Improvements,
would have been impossible without the aid of
chemical analysis
The manufacture of the acids and salts of
commerce, and the fertilizers so important to
agriculture, are also prominent among the con-
tributions of chemistry to the aid of human in
dustry. Investigators are constantly at work
in all branches of scientific discovery bringing
to light new truths, new elements, new combina-
tons, new laws or principles, which are quickly
made subservient to the use of man, through
the inventive faculties of those whose special
labOrS 0ra directed in the fields Of industrial
science.
Through all these influences combined there
has occurred a peaceful but overwhelming
revolution during the lifetime of many who are
present here to-day, which has changed all the
conditions of social life, and even brought all
the nations of the earth into closer and more in
innate relations. The "TrepresSible conficp
betlCeen the steam engine and muscular pOlUer
has lightened the burdens of human labor, and
given to the workman a higher sphere in which
his own intelligence is his only master, and the
forces and materials of nature his instruments.
This great change is marked by a general diff
fusion of all knowledge and a more equal dis
tribution Of wealth and Of the comforts Ofdo-
nestle life.
Public charities have been extended and have
assumed the forms of systematic institutions
and organizations; and the progress is still on
ward, which, if left unchecked by the restless
spirit of evil in man himself, but directed ac-
cording to the pure and simple preceptS of the
Christian faith and practice, must lead to
periods of still greater prosperity and happi-
ness.
1t seems almost incredible that the education
of the young in knowledge of the laws and
principles Of the works of the Oreator-that
kind of knowledge through which all these
benefcent results have been accomplished
should have been regarded by some intelligent
men in this age with certain degree Of diSap-
probation, approaching often TO contempt, and
called "bredd and butter education" This
education teaches and enforces what no other
has the same power to do, that no man is ex-
empt from labor, but for every one there is a
sphere of useful employment which requires the
whole power Of his intellect, and which has
sprung from these new conditions of civilized
life; that this new order of things furnishes
subjects for instruction so comprehensive and
unlimited, that every one may seek that which
best suits his inclination and peculiar talents.
The young and old of both sexes, the
labOrng man. the artizan, the profess
sional man, the investigator, may find
in it not only profitable and instructive exercise
for their intellectual faculties, but in most cases
they may find delight in adapting their inqul-
ries, their reading, their study or investiga-
tons, to the daily avocatons Of their lives.
In the practice of industry this education in
culcates truth by The most powerful of all teach
ing; for the laws of nature are but the reflection
of the perfect attributes of the Creator. The
principles of truth, candor, integrity, justice,
and even charity, given to us in the revealed
word, are only more firmly impressed by the
study of the perfect laws by which the material
universe is controlled.
1t is not to be supposed by the young men
whoIare graduated by institutions like this that
there is the applications of science which they
have SO faithfully studied any "royaP scientific
road to success; or that rules of action can be
established with unfailing certainty for all Cir
cumstances nor, indeed, that no industrial un-
dertakings are properly conducted unless they
are subjected to technical scrutiny.
The young graduate is too apt to imagine
that every practical problem, however simple is
to be WORKED out by established rules; and he
is often surprised at the direct and summary
way in which practical men sometimes accomplish
difficult ends. He only begins to learn by prac-
tice what cannot well be taught in the academy,
that sound Judgment and common sense are
generally sufficient for ordinary duties; and to
lose time or opportunity in unnecessary scientific
calculations, is rather a violation of the
science OF practice than an exhibition of the
practice OF science.
An incident is said to have occurred during
the Florida war which may be related as an eX-
ample of the proclivity of beginners to endeavor
to do everything by book rules A certain regi-
ment came to a narrow but deep stream
across which it was necessary to trans
port the baggage and artillery. A young
officer was charged with the construc-
ton Of a temporary bridge, and in order
to accomplish the task in the most scientific
lndnHerJ ne r6Ilreu 10 us teuL 10 make Il6
necessary drawings and specifications. On his
return to the place of crossing, after some hours,
he found that the men had become impatient
and had to set to work vigorously with their
axes, and regardless of economy of materials
and of the questions of bending weights of
shearing strains, or of forms of cross section,
had constructed bridge, and were already
Transporting the baggage
That young man became thoroughly i'm
pressed with the value and importance OF APP
plying common sense, or what is the
same thing, rational reasoning, indepen-
dent Of formulas under such circumstances,
Real efficiency of action is found in the accom-
plishment of ends by the most direct and simple
means consistent with the object to be attained;
and while circumstances constantly occur in
which such efficiency is to be secured only by
the most patient, laborious, and difficult pro-
cesses of scientific reasoning, yet such circum-
stances are to be recognized only by the exercise
of sound discretion and good Judgment.
| would, therefore, say to young men, edo
not expect that your attachments will be highly
estimated at once. When men purchase an ar
tcle they wish to know what they buy; and You
must be willing to have your merits thoroughly
tried. 1t will always be found better to take
the lowest positions and work your way up
ward. You have yet TO learn much that be-
longs exclusively TO the science of practice