No. 199.] 349 



that " God made man after his own likeness ; in the image of God 

 created Le man." 



The present age and the present century is a period fruitful in the 

 most valuable inventions and improvements in the mechanical and 

 manufacturing arts. In no portion of history, of equal duration, haa 

 half, or even a tithe, of so much been done in these respects, as since 

 the spirit of independence has been abroad in the world, and the re- 

 liance of mankind on their own resources ; and we may add, since 

 the establishment of our own free government. The minds of men 

 are less restrained and more unshackled. They have not to contend 

 with the usurpations of tyrants, or the unjust exactions of those who 

 are placed in authority over them. In this land of liberal institutions, 

 it is not, therefore, so much a matter of wonder, that the best and 

 greatest discoveries have been made. We do not wish to arrogate, 

 on the score of intellect or natural abilit)-, any excellence or superi- 

 ority over others ; but certain it is, that we have more liberty, and it 

 is equally undeniable that we employ it more effectively, and have 

 made more valuable improvements and discoveries in the arts^ than 

 the subjects and citizens of other governments, even where they have 

 the advantage of greater facilities of acquiring knowledge, and much 

 better opportunities of arriving at the truth from longer experience. 

 Our young minds are untrammelled, and we roam in search of useful 

 information wherever it is our pleasure, and follow the natural bent 

 of our desires and inclinations. We love knowledge for its own sake, 

 and for its valuable results, and there is nothing in the nature of our 

 institutions to hinder or prevent its pursuit. And here I would re- 

 mark, so far as my own observation extends, and I have had some 

 opportunity, from my intercourse with them, of forming a judgment 

 in this respect, that the men of most thought and practical informa- 

 tion, with whom I am acquainted as a class, are our Mechanics. In 

 fact, I cannot well conceive how any individual can become a good 

 Mechanic without both knowledge and skill. He must have informa- 

 tion sufficient in the matter of his business, and he must have the 

 capacity to apply it, or adapt it to the objects for which it is wanted ; 

 and those in younger life especially should devote much of their time 

 to reading and reflection, as they will have plenty of opportunity to 

 make use of all they know, or shall learn. It is in this way alone 



