TO PARENTS AND MECHANICS. 



There are but few families that have not one or more members who 

 possess a taste for science, art, or mechanics. To the parents of 

 such, we have a few words to say. Such tastes are noble, because 

 they aiFord evidence of a thirst for useful knowledge, and as 'knowl- 

 edge is power,' they should be fostered and cultivated. The reading 

 and study of works of an elementary character are necessary for this 

 purpose, but these are not sufl&cient; those who have such tastes 

 must also study periodicals devoted to the propagation of informa- 

 tion relating to inventions, discoveries and improvements. The 

 public mind is so active at the present day, and art and science move 

 on and progress with such rapid strides, that it is positively necessa- 

 ry to employ means of this character to keep posted up in current 

 information. Many publications contain much that excites the pas- 

 sions and oftentimes imparts to them a wrong bias ; but science ap- 

 peals only to the intellect and the judgment, and its influence must 

 therefore be elevating to every mind that pursues it. Is not this a 

 powerful reason why every family should welcome a scientific publi- 

 cation and make it a household companion ? Our country is a young 

 giant; its growth in material greatness is a modern miracle among 

 nations. It presents more openings for young men to rise to re- 

 nown and wealth than any other nation. Every mechanic who 

 acquires a master skill of his business, coupled with intelligence and 

 scientific knowledge, is sure to rise to distinction — he lacks knowl- 

 edge, and is therefore deficient in power to do so. 



Young mechanics ! vours is the time of life to devote to the ac- 

 quisition of positive knowledge, before the cares of the world absorb 

 all your time in providing the means of a bare subsistence. 



A young mechanic should learn to be a good draughtsman ; his 

 mind should be imbued with sound scientific information; he should 

 be posted up in the progress of science ; and he should be able to 

 write and express his opinions freely and correctly. He should have 

 a manly ambition to be intelligent in all that relates to his profes- 

 sion ; for those who have no such ambition never can rise to be good 

 mechanics or good citizens. — Hunt's Magazme. 



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