blast in smelting iron. It is unnecessary to particularize any one of the ten 

 thousand improvements which inventive genius has given to all the machinery 

 engaged in manufactured production. They all show that labor-saving economy 

 was demanding a cheaper product, that it might the better compete with its ri- 

 vals. And this competition must ever continue to demand the highest skill and 

 greatest prudence in every act of the manufacturer, from the purchase of the 

 raw material to the sale of the articles made from it. Whilst it is true that the 

 mere operator may, in many cases, successfully conduct his business without a 

 thorough knowledge of the principles involved in the machinery he uses, yet 

 euch are not among th' j , lofty names that honor the inventive genius of our land. 

 They are not those who have cheapened commodities nor created new ones : 

 they can use a steam-engine, but have not improved it : it required a Fulton to 

 apply it to navigation. The locomotive, nor the daguerrotype, nor the tele- 

 graph, nor chain and tubular bridges would have been invented by one ignorant 

 of the principles which these and like inventions represent. These principles are 

 greater or less, more complex or simple; if the few may be great in their applica- 

 tion, all should know the more simple principles. If it required an Ericsson to create 

 the impenetrable iron-clad, nevertheless the more useful mower and reaper 

 spring from the more readily perceived mechanical powers. 



Shall it be said that even education cannot make all inventors or successful 

 manufacturers ? I answer, nor has it made every lawyer a Webster, nor every phy- 

 sician an Astley Cooper, nor every preacher a Beecher. Still, education is a 

 leaven, which, pervading the entire mass, fits it for a higher destiny, and the in- 

 dividual for greater success, because, seeing clearly the principles of his occupation, 

 he pursues it more enthusiastically. As well allege that the sun is useless, 

 because we may travel by star-light. Why, said a boy to me when we were 

 crossing a chain-bridge of immense strength, do they require a regiment when 

 crossing it to break their step ? Shall an American manufacturer or mechanic 

 be less interested in the reason of things than this boy ? 



Of the utility of instruction to the merchant to fit him for success in his occu- 

 pation, or of the studies he should pursue, it is unnecessary now to speak, or 

 <iven to give a single illustration, because the commercial colleges springing up 

 in every city attest their advantages. 



Having considered the necessity of knowledge to the individual in that 

 occupation lie follows for his own and his family's support, I wish to ask the 

 reflecting mind to accompany me in what I may briefly say of its necessity in 

 the right discharge of his duty as husband and parent. 



The Anglo-Saxon is justly regarded as the noblest element in the English 

 and American descent. And it is so for the reason that, in its entire history, it 

 has more highly regarded the family in its social and political relations. But 

 has it, and do we now, give the family all the regard it demands "? 



The present time in agricultural affairs is distinguished by its study and 

 practical application of the principles of breeding. The power of these princi- 

 ples, when rightly directed, is seen in our Virginia and Kentucky blooded horses, 

 in the short-horn and other breeds of cattle, in sheep and hogs. They show 

 that both physical and mental characteristics are subject to these principles. 

 Cease to regard them, and at once deterioration begins. Now man is as these 

 farm stocks an animal, subject to improvement or decay, both in body and 

 mind according as regard is paid to the principles of his mental and physical 

 propagation. With what care does the skilful stock-grower take every step ; 

 how he balances the qualities that may coalesce, or those that may be antago- 

 nistical. But in that noblest of all creatures, man, how entirely is every rule 

 of his reproduction overlooked. Poets sing of oneness of soul, of the blending 

 of hearts; and the universal attraction that the subject of love has over all 

 the young and old, the taught and untaught, but attests its bearing on our 

 welfare. The right-thinking and right-feeling mind ever owns its greatness, 



