Year: 1869

We agree with cotemporary (says the VIII
mington Star,) that skilled laborers and handi-
craftsmen seems to be just now masters of the
situation" 1t is sometimes one trade or class OF
trades which is in the ascendant, and sometimes
another. But always the truth holds good that
the man who has an art, which it has required
time to learn, possesses the advantage over him
who can only do the labor which requires the ex-
ercise of strength and muscle. There is an un-
reasonable and unfortunate prejudice in this coun-
try against mechanical employments One reason
for this prejudice we have never seen noticed in
the various discussions in the journals. In most
European countries the man who puts his son to
learn trade has to pay premium to his employer
for the instruction of the lad in his business. No
doubt the discontinuance of this custom in this
country has many advantages. But with all that
can be said in favor of the change, it has one bad
result. The value and respectability Of mechan-
cal pursuits are underestimate, and one of the
very best avenues to wealth and responsibility is
thus virtually closed to many who would prz :
what they were required to pay for


There is an undue preponderance of non-produ-
GERS men who only handle what the skill of others
has created. Every handling adds to the cost ;
and many necessaries of life are thus heavily and
in many cases. needlessly taxed before they reach
the consumer. The men whose occupations are
least necessary, are first dispensed with. Conse-
quenty, when business becomes dull, the clerks
who have employment at the high tide at the ebb
are stranded For every vacant clerkship or 9TH
er like employment, there are always applicants
waiting while it is only at rare times or in some
particular lines Of business that skilled artisans
need be out of employment. Another reason why
mechanical or manufacturing industry is neglected,
is because the working men do not give themselves
justice There are very few arts and trades to
which there are not history, theory, and q
science No artisan in this country ought to be
content with the routine work of his business. He
should take pains to learn the why and Because.
The reason of every rule Of his trade should be
learned and his reading and investigations should
add the knowledge of books to his practical ezpe-
ricnce. There are principles which guide all op-
crations. Every carpenter and mason should aim
to be in knowledge an architect; every millwright
an engineer; every dyer q chemist, and so through
the whole circle of mechanical pursuits ought the
laborers to acquaint themselves with all that they
can learn respecting their callings The diligent
and careful mechanic who would do this, would
soon find his way to the very best positions in his
business. The most successful men We have who
have accumulated large fortunes, have done so by
the unexpected opening of opportunities for the
improvement of which their study and intelligence
had prepared them. The best and most profitable
inventions are those made by practicalmen, who ad


ded to the skilfu handling of their tools, know-
edge of the principles on which they worked. Let
man honor his calling and it will do him honor