Chap. IX.] Mechanic Arts. 10^ 



vice to the mechanic arts. On the manufacture 

 of all metallic and earthen wares the improve- 

 ments in chemistry have shed important light ; and 

 indeed to all the arts in the difterent processes of 

 which heat, solution, composition, distillation, fer- 

 mentation, and precipitation are necessary, chcmi* 

 cal philosophy has furnished valuable aid. 



Never were manufactures carried on upon so 

 large a scale as during the eighteenth century, 

 especially toward the close of it. The number of 

 hands, and the amount of capitals employed in 

 various branches of manufacture in Europe, may 

 be pronounced, without hesitation, greatly to ex- 

 ceed the largest establishments of any former 

 times. '^';';^: 



It may also be asserted, that manufactures in 

 general were never carried on with so mucli expe- 

 dition and cheapness, or with so much elegance of 

 workmanship, as at the close of- the period under 

 review. It is true, these circumstances have led 

 to an increased s lightness, and the want of diirabi-' 

 lity^ particularly in some articles of modern manu- 

 facture; but, in many more cases, a great improve- 

 ment in quality, as well as in elegance, has taken 

 place. 



The division and abridgment of labour were 

 carried to a greater length hi the course of the last 

 age than in any preceding period. The influence 

 of both these circumstances in promoting the me- 

 chanic arts will be readily appreciated by eveiy 

 intelligent reader. 



But beside these general remarks, it will be pro- 

 per to take notice of some of the principal inven- 



