460 CHREOTECHNICS. 



argument will sink in importance ; while the reasons already assign- 

 ed for the present arrangement, will retain their full force. The 

 subject of Horticulture, or gardening, is, we think, so extensive and 

 interesting, as to merit a separate place, as a distinct branch of the 

 arts, though closely allied to Agriculture, or the labors of the field. 

 But there is another group of arts, standing next to these ; and 

 which, though very essential to our physical comfort, seldom meets 

 with literary notice ; we mean the arts of housekeeping and cookery. 

 For this group, usually the province of the gentler sex, and some- 

 times comprehended under the title of Domestic Economy, we ven- 

 ture to propose the name Domiculture, as significant and distinctive, 

 and symmetrical with the names of the preceding branches. 



The word Manufacture, derived from the Latin, manus, the 

 hand, and facio, I make, literally signifies the making of things by 

 hand ; but it is commonly applied to the fabrication of any small 

 articles, whether immediately by the hand, or by the aid of machi- 

 nery ; as cloth, cabinet work, porcelain, and various machines, in- 

 struments, and utensils. The minor manufacturing pursuits, are 

 often called trades ; probably from the Latin, trado, I deliver ; be- 

 cause the articles made are often delivered singly to customers, or 

 purchasers. As the distinction between trades and other manufac- 

 turing pursuits, is vague and unimportant, and as the subject is so 

 extensive as to merit a division, we propose to treat of manufactures 

 under the two heads of Vestiture, and Furniture ; the former com- 

 prehending the manufacture of cloth, and the arts subordinate thereto; 

 and the latter comprehending the remaining manufactures of move- 

 able articles, which collectively form an important group, though 

 separately they are of minor importance. The subject of Commerce, 

 may, we think, be properly comprehended as one single branch of 

 Chreotechnics ; the last in this department. 



The arts above referred to, aside from those of construction and 

 conveyance, probably furnish occupation to nine-tenths of the human 

 race. Their pursuit is necessary, to a certain extent, for the main- 

 tenance of society; and honorable, in all cases, where it promotes 

 the general welfare. It has stimulated the cultivation of the sciences, 

 and thereby opened new avenues to truth and utility, discovery and 

 invention. It has subsidized the powers of nature, and compelled 

 the winds and the waters to come forth and labor, at the wheel and 

 the forge, the loom and the lathe, that man may find time to tax his 

 ingenuity, for new and farther improvements. But we are constrain- 

 ed to add that their pursuit may become too engrossing ; especially 

 when it has mere wealth for its object ; and that unless relieved by 

 intervals of rest, study, and meditation, it tends to degrade the mind, 

 and absorb the better thoughts and feelings of our nature. We shall 

 rejoice in the increase of labor-saving machinery, if it allow the 

 laboring classes leisure for mental culture, and the charities of life : 

 but if it have the effect of converting men themselves into mere 

 money making machines, it is a result rather to be deprecated than 

 desired. 



The improvements which have been made, in the arts now under 

 consideration, refer, for the most part, rather to their extension than 



