No. 151.] 303 



of science, and generally diffused. Indeed, most of the remarkable 

 fruits of human ingenuity by which the present age is distinguished, 

 are but developments of natural laws, rendered subservient to ar- 

 tificial purposes. The curious machines employed in the manufac- 

 ture of cotton and woolen fabrics, performing the offices of a thou- 

 sand hands, and exhibiting in their multiplied operations all but the 

 power of thought; the triumphs of steam, with its locomotive 

 energies outstripping the winds, and bidding defiance to the most 

 vigorous exercise of animal power; the phenomena of electro-mag- 

 netism, as displayed in the wonderful invention of the telegraph — 

 what are these but familiar instances of a successful application of 

 physical science to the practical purposes of life, and some of the 

 rich fruits of that philosophy which explores the mysteries of the 

 natural world. 



It is sometimes useful to recur to former periods in the history of 

 our race, and contemplate the social condition of mankind as it then 

 existed. But it is not necessary for the purpose of contrast, to go 

 back to the time when our Saxon ancestors roamed in the forests of 

 Europe, and subsisted on a precarious supply of the spontaneous 

 productions of the earth; when the art of agriculture was unknown, 

 and that of building did not extend beyond the construction of a 

 wretched hut, scarcely serving the purpose of shelter. We have 

 only to revert to a period not long antecedent to our own times, to 

 find strikino; contrasts in all that contributes to the well beins; and 

 happiness of our species. Even within the recollection of some 

 who hear me, what numerous additions have been made to the stock 

 of human comforts! what improvements in the management of light 

 and heat! what increased facilities of communication between dis- 

 tant points, until space is literally annihilated! how have the pro- 

 ducts of the loom been perfected and cheapened, until the luxuries 

 of dress are brought within the most limited means, thus breaking 

 down one of those walls of aristocratic partition that served to di- 

 vide society in former times. 



The following description, intended to represent the condition of an 

 Englishman of moderate means at the present day, applies with 

 equal truth to a much larger class in our own country. " I am lodg- 

 ed," says the Englishman, " in a house that affords me convenien- 

 cies and comforts which even a king could not command some cen- 

 turies ago. Ships are crossing the seas in every direction to bring 

 what is useful to me from all parts of the earth. In China, men 

 are gathering the tea leaf for me; in America they are gathering 



