Letters to a Friend 



tical machinery. I like my work exceedingly 

 well, but would prefer inventions which would 

 require some artistic as well as mechanical skill. 

 I invented and put in operation a few days ago 

 an attachment for a self-acting lathe, which has 

 increased its capacity at least one third. We 

 are now using it to turn broom-handles, and as 

 these useful articles may now be made cheaper, 

 and as cleanliness is one of the cardinal virtues, 

 I congratulate myself in having done something 

 like a true philanthropist for the real good of 

 mankind in general. What say you? I have 

 also invented a machine for making rake-teeth, 

 and another for boring for them and driving 

 them, and still another for making the bows, 

 still another used in making the handles, still 

 another for bending them, so that rakes may 

 now be made nearly as fast again. Farmers will 

 be able to produce grain at a lower rate, the 

 poor get more bread to eat. Here is more phil 

 anthropy ; is it not ? I sometimes feel as though 

 I was losing time here, but I am at least receiv 

 ing my first lessons in practical mechanics, and 



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