Literature and Commerce. jg 



foreign to their interests, but were in reality closely related. 

 And how long it was before a School of Art was erected 

 in Manchester, and this ultimately by pressure from out- 

 side ! Only in this year 1 88 1 has Manchester been able to 

 obtain a separate building for it. 



Mr. Henry admires science, history, and the useful arts, 

 and he admires the ' polite arts ' because it is supereminent 

 taste that has distinguished the productions of a Wedgwood 

 and a Bentley above all their competitors in the same line 

 of business. Such a taste would doubtless be equally bene- 

 ficial to the manufacturer of the fine cotton and silk goods 

 of Manchester, &c. (Vol. i. p. 28.) 



On the advantages of Literature and Philosophy in general \ 

 and especially on the consistency of L iterary and Philoso- 

 phical with Commercial Pursuits. By Thomas Henry, 

 F.R.S. Read October 3, 1781. 



We quote only from the latter portion : 



' The sciences of Natural History and Botany require so 

 much time to be devoted to the study of them, and such 

 minute investigation, that, however pleasing, they may 

 be justly considered as improper objects for the man of 

 business to pursue scientifically, so as to enter into the 

 exact arrangement and classification of the different bodies 

 of the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms. But 

 reading and personal observation will supply him with 

 ample matter for reflection and admiration. 



'But several branches of Natural Philosophy seem 

 peculiarly adapted to fill up the vacant hours in which the 

 tradesman can withdraw from his employments. A general 

 knowledge of all will tend to open and enlarge his under- 



