Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-04
MECHANICS INSTITUTE.
DR. }. L.K. cURRrs LEcTURE.


A Lsrss Crowd ~ Asss ndnnee. fire Taik.
and DelIshsss Audience as sanger
Nall.
Last night Rev. DR.. J. L. M. Curry
delivered . free lecture at Sanger Hall,
the pith Of which was directed to the
consideration OF questions Of pointed
interest to the Mechanics Institute Of
Richmond. A large crowd was present.
DIR. Curry expressed his qualification
at the privilege of addressing such an
assemblage of fellow-citizens, as he was
deeply interested in everything pertain
ing to the material, intellectual, and
moral welfare Of Richmond. The city
has historic renown, but we should not
live on worthy deeds Of noble ancestors.
Since the evacuation there has been
marked progress, and the city is now
noted for its excellent system Of public
schools, its higher institutions Of learn
ing, and its many and weil-filled
churches.
The New Years Dispatch showed a
capital Of over $40, 200, 900 invested in
various branches of manufacturing in
dustry. We need, however, for in
creased and permanent prosperity, more
diversification Of labor, larger num-
Der Of smaller mechanical industries.
and more intelligent and skilled labor.
This movement for mechanical in
stitute is in the right direction, and it
is well in the beginning to avoid IRENE
dial mistakes. Technical education
with us is in an empirical stage, and
numerous questions bearing on it are
opcR to discussion. The present pub
lie opinion, inquisitive and mouldable,
may be utilized for q most valuable
end.
Although preparation for law, medi-
cine, military and naval warfare has
been enormous, il is only within the
last few years that technical education
Of artisans, or Of those engaged in
manufacturing industries, has attracted
much attention. The experiments made
have established one principle as an
axiom, that all proper technical educa-
ton must rest on basis of sound pri-
mary instruction. 1t was shown that
this was involved in all solid prepara-
tion for any pursuit or business, and
that mental discipline underlies all tyue
education.
DR.. Curry dwelt with emphasis upon
and exposed the hurtful delusion that
in certain pursuits it is a waste Of time
to cultivate the mind. A mans oecu-
patton is not the whole concern Of life,
but is means Of activity to be used for
COED. To admit that any calling can
be more successfully followed by the
ignorant and vicious is to fasten an OPP
probrium that sinks it below the level
Of honest and worthy occupations.
DR.. Curry insisted that, in,addition to
rudimentary instruction as given now,
drawing should be, as in Sweden and
Germany, among the obligatory studies.
In industrial schools it is absolutely
essential, fer industrial arts of any
kind can only be carried on where there
is a good foundation Of knowledge Of
drawing and design.
Technical education involves the
practical teaching of the principles Of
science; their application to some Of
the leading practical arts or industries,
and the pointing out of the true rela-
tion Of theory and practice. A mu-
scum might have a collection of raw
materials and fabrics; a collection Of
toe,s. lcientifc apparatus. instruments.
and models, and department of ac-
tually working machines.
The question of workshop practice
to get training and skill in hand and
fingers and eye-has awakened much
discussion, and in this State the Hamp-
ton and the Miller schools seem to have
solved the problem sfiirmatively.
II was urged that Richmond, in adj
dition to technical training, so much
needed, should have special schools Of
science. such as the Worcester Free
Institute, and it was suggested that
Richmond College to civil engineering
and theoretical mechanics might unite
a course Of training, so as with the
thorough mental discipline now given
there might be knowledge Of the ap-
plications of science 10 the practical
arts.
DR.. Curry had before him a recent
report of the French Commission on
the condition Of workingmen and on
the state Of art industries, and the re-
port of German commission to in
quire what branches Of industrial train
ing are carried on in special schools
and workshops connected with schools
in Germany and neighboring countries.
The facts were too ysluminous to be
given, and only general results were
stated, showing that foreign nations
had found out that their trade and
prosperity were dependent on skilled
labor and the application Of science to
the useful arts.
- The last part of the address was de-
voted to the showing Of the connection
of our city's growth and greatness with
skilled labor. Our political and indus
trial necessities are intelligence, hon
esty, and skill, and without these We
cannot hope to win the prizes Of life in
active competition with people who re-
cognize that the future is to the highest
intelligence.