560 Facts for Mechanics. [November. 



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St. Paul was a mechanic, a tent-maker. Our Savior was a me- 

 clianic, a carpenter. The great Architect of the universe has set 

 his creatures an example in constructiveness in the mechanism of 

 the heavens and the earth, with their productions, animate and inan- 

 imate, but which they can never equal or approach. 



Next to Farmers, mechanics are the most numerous and the most 

 important class of the community. Whatever promotes their inter- 

 est, of course promotes the interest of the public. They, like farm- 

 ers, have great facilities and great inducements to become men of 

 science and sound knowledge. Every mechanic^n every operation, 

 brings into use some principle of science ; which principle, it is, of 

 course, his interest and convenience to understand. 



Every apprentice boy, no matter how assiduous or rigorous his 

 employment, if he spends a few minutes daily in useful reading and 

 other modes of improvement, is certain to be a man of future influ- 

 ence and respectability. That apprentice who seeks most assiduously 

 the interests of his employer, promotes most effectually his own in- 

 terest ; as character is the best capital a young man can have for the 

 commencement of business. 



Mechanics, like farmers, make safe and enlightened statesmen. 

 They are well educated for legislators, and for other offices, because 

 educated in schools of experience. Who can be better qualified to 

 make laws for aiding the operations of business than those engaged 

 in these operations? 



Bushel and Acre. — What difference is there in the United States 

 bushel and the English — also in the acre of the two countries? Ans. 

 ■ — The standard bushel of the United States is the same as the "Win- 

 chester bushel," which was the standard in England from the time 

 of Henry VII. to 1826, and contains 2,150.4 cubic inches. The 

 present standard in England is the " Imperial bushel," which con- 

 tains 2,218.192 cubic inches, being within a 'fraction of 68 cubic 

 inches larger than that of the United States. The acre is the same 

 in both countries. 



