598 Of the Salubrity of Warm Bathing. 



Russian to all their local advantages ! When I medi- 

 tate profoundly on these subjects, it is quite impossible 

 for me not to feel my bosom warmed with the most 

 enthusiastic zeal for the diffusion of that knowledge 

 which contributes to the comforts and enjoyments 

 of life. 



There is nothing more interesting than the results 

 of the ingenuity of man in the infancy of society, be- 

 fore the light of science has extended his views and in- 

 creased the number of the objects of his pursuit. Ever 

 intent upon a few simple mechanical contrivances, the 

 usefulness of which he continually experiences, all his 

 thoughts remain concentrated on them, and all his in- 

 genuity and address are employed in rendering them 

 perfect, and using them with agility and effect. When 

 we examine the implements which savage nations have 

 contrived to provide for themselves, almost without 

 tools, we shall see one of the most striking proofs to 

 be found of the effects of persevering industry and 

 long experience. 



No person of any feeling can contemplate the 

 canoes, snow-shoes, and hunting and fishing tackle of 

 the North American savages, without experiencing 

 emotions which it would be very difficult to describe ; 

 and the ingenuity displayed by the Russian peasant in 

 the construction and management of his warm bath is 

 not less striking. 



Without any knowledge of the principles of pneu- 

 matics, hydrostatics, and chemistry, he has proceeded 

 in the same manner precisely as he would have done 

 had he understood all those sciences; and, without 

 money or the means of purchasing any thing of value, 

 he has contrived, with the rude materials of no value 



