HYUJRGTT. 433 



yet governed by a touch of the hand ; by which a vapor, light as 

 smoke, is revolutionizing the world. That these great results are 

 due to physical science, it were vain to deny ; and well has art repaid 

 the debt, by procuring for mankind the leisure to study science more 

 profoundly, while seeking every channel for ameliorating the condition 

 of the human race. 



We proceed to treat of Architechnics, under the branches of 

 Hylurgy ; Machinery ; Architecture ; Civil Engineering, or Viatec- 

 ture : Ship Building, or Navitecture ; and Navigation, including 

 Seamanship. 



CHAPTER I. 



HYLURGY. 



WE propose the term Hylurgy, to include the study of the various 

 materials used in the arts, and of those elementary processes, for pre- 

 paring and working them, which belong to no particular art, but are 

 of general application. The name is derived from the Greek, vjuy, 

 matter, or any material ; and wpyta, work :. and it was suggested by 

 the term Metallurgy, signifying the working of metals, which is of 

 course included in this branch, at least so far as regards its elementary 

 processes. The other classes of materials, which are here studied, 

 are, as regards their origin, either earthy, vegetable, or animal ; and 

 the present study relates to their selection, properties and qualities ; 

 their strength, and durability, or preservation ; their uses, and their 

 preparation. These subjects have been made the themes of large 

 volumes ; and they are deemed sufficiently important to merit a place, 

 as constituting a distinct, introductory branch of the arts. 



Vitruvius, one of the earliest writers on Architecture, treats at 

 large of the materials used in building, as a part of that branch ; and 

 in this he has been followed by several later writers. But the same 

 description of materials would apply, for the most part, equally well 

 to Civil Engineering, and Fortification ; and as regards the use of 

 wood, to Ship Building and various other arts. Hence, the propriety 

 of separating these subjects, and forming them into a distinct branch, 

 will, we trust, be fully evident. Among the leading topics which 

 this branch should embrace, we will here mention Mining, Metallurgy, 

 and Smithery, as belonging chiefly to-the metals ; Quarrying, Brick- 

 making, Masonry, and Stonecutting, as belonging chiefly to earthy 

 materials ; and Forestwork, Carpentry, and Joinery, relating chiefly to 

 wood; to which may be added various minor subjects, not belonging 

 immediately to special manufactures ; since these latter are reserved 

 for the next department of the arts. The important topic of the 

 strength of materials, may properly form the subject of a distinct and 

 concluding section of Hylurgy. 



The history of the materials used in the arts, is, as might be 

 expected, quite obscure. Vulcan is reputed to have been the first 

 blacksmith ; and some writers have supposed this personage to have 

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