Advantages of Science to mechanics. 35 



magnetism, and chemistry. A blacksmith who knew 

 all the physical and chemical properties and rela- 

 tions of iron and steel would be quite a scientific 

 philosopher. 



No man has more occasion to bless the introduc- 

 tion of the steam-engine, machinery, the galvanic 

 battery, and science in general, than the working 

 mechanic, because it has mitigated his physical toil 

 by giving him the duty of simply directing the labour 

 instead of actually performing it ; whilst it has 

 deprived him of one kind of employment it has 

 provided him with something better. But a few 

 years ago the operatives in the silver-plating trade 

 had to lay the silver on the articles with their hands, 

 with the aid of a soldering iron ; now they have 

 simply to set their batteries in action and watch the 

 electricity doing it for them. In a similar manner 

 the working engineer at his metal-turning lathe has 

 merely to direct the action of his tools whilst the 

 steam-engine performs the heavy labour of turning. 



There is not a man in this kingdom who has not 

 derived some advantage, in one way or another, from 

 scientific research. The advantages of gas light, 

 electric light, rapid postal service and transmission 

 of goods, railway travelling, steam-ships for naviga- 

 tion, cotton apparel, photography, cheap pottery, 

 improved medicine and surgery, telegraphic forecasts 

 of weather, Australian preserved meats, &c., &c., 

 have been reaped more or less by everyone, even the 

 very paupers. Not only has travelling been con- 



