22 MR. braman's address. 



dexterity to acquire a competent use of thcin. The modes, 

 and seasons of planting, sowing, raering, gathering, wliea 

 once asceitained, can he conipreliended in a very short time by 

 the most moderate capacity. Every boy in rural places learns- 

 the current ))ractice without any effort of attention, or direct 

 teaching, by observing what he cannot avoid seeing, and as a 

 matter of course, just as he acquires the knowledge of trees 

 and stones, and earth and water, and the obvious effects of smi 

 and rain, and the most common objects- and processes about 

 him. Strength of muscle and bone, and the power of hardy 

 endurance, are more essential for the ordinary processes of farm 

 labor, than natural ingenuity or skillful training. But the 

 case is quite dijferent with respect to the mechanic arts, some- 

 of which demand the assiduous and well instructed preparation 

 of years to acquire the power to produce the most ordinary and. 

 usable fabrics which it is their appropriaie business to furnish, 

 to the community. What a ditierence between the mechanical 

 mgeuuity. necessary to frame a dwelling house, and that re- 

 quired to prepare the ground for planting. When superiority 

 of mental and matmal pliability is employed on the construc- 

 tion of a watch over that bestowed on the use- of the spade 

 .and the sickle. Those wooden clocks which- New England 

 pedlars sell in Nova Scotia, and which need one hand, and a. 

 crank to turn the wheels, are speciraens of workmanship, 

 which exhibits the results of a much more lengthend and de- 

 voted preparation, than the use of any implement of agricul- 

 ture whatever. There is scarce any branch of mechanic art,, 

 or of manufacture, the training and practice of which do not 

 necessaiily call into action more of the mental attributes of 

 man tlian the common operations of the field. Now the exer- 

 cise of the intellect in one direction gives strength to all the 

 powers. The discipline of the understanding in any formi 

 adds to iti^ general tone, elasticity and extent; and thus the 

 employment of those engaged in the m^eahanic arts, has given 

 ihena an advantage ov;er those who are occupied in the more 

 simple labors or rurid. industry. When v;.e consider the ditfer- 

 enee in, the nature and, mental influence of these two classes 

 of pursuits, we see some reason for thfs opinion which has- 



