6 MR. Oliver's address. 



rank nonsense, sir," retorted the other. " It is an assertion 

 without proof, and you might, with as much propriety, say, 

 " "Who drives fat oxen must himself be fat." 

 This retort, hitting and fitting both the logic and the lean- 

 ness of the drover, quite silenced him. Yet to me it affords 

 encouragement, for it shows that 



Who counsels farmers, need not farm himself. 



A man may well understand the theoretical principles upon 

 which the enginery of steam is constructed, and he may know, 

 to great precision, the shape, the size, and the place wherein 

 should be put all the several pieces and parts, that make up the 

 shrieking iron steed that thunders over your rails, and yet have 

 never put these parts together, nor have set the engine in 

 operation, — and he may yet be fully competent to give such 

 hints and instructions to the mere practical machinist, as will 

 enable the latter to elaborate and turn out a more powerfal, 

 more enduring, a cheaper and a better machine. 



A man may have a very exact and even extensive know- 

 ledge of music, and nevertheless be unable to "sound the loud 

 timbrel," to "strike the trembling lyre," to "breathe the 

 dulcet flute," to " make the organ's solemn soothing sounds," 

 or to give any "touches of sweet harmony," either by sound 

 of voice or play of instrument ; and yet he shall be able to 

 make such suggestions to the mere practical and mere mechan- 

 ical musician, that when he takes his flute or hautboy, he shall 

 so " govern these ventages with his fingers and his thumb, and 

 give it breath with his mouth, that it will discourse most ex- 

 cellent music." — Sha/cspeare's Hamlet. 



The truth is, the studious mind in the investigation of great 

 principles, brings the most serviceable aid to the exact and 

 practical hand. They are twin sisters, and cannot get along 

 without each other's assistance. They stand in the indispen- 

 sable necessity to each other of capital and labor, in a union 

 that cannot be sundered, except at the risk, — nay — at the sure 

 destruction of both. 



I grant to you all that you will claim of the value of the 

 hand, which word I here use as typical of the practical man, 



