the foundation of the science of Dynamics, or the action of forces, as they relate to motion. His support of the Copernican system, by which he drew down upon himself the rage of the inquisition, and his consequent imprisonment are well known; as also his subsequent abjuration of the opinions which he had so zealously espoused, and which exhibits a mortifying instance of human imbecility. See Edin. Ency.

C.

To Dr. FRANKLIN belongs the honour of having discovered what is termed plus and minus electricity; the explanation of the Leyden phial; and the identity of lightning and electricity. These are his most brilliant discoveries, and, with his profound knowledge of political economy, his sound judgment, and the excellent practical tendency of his writings, have probably gained him a higher reputation abroad, as a writer, and a man of genius, than any other American has ever enjoyed. ib.

D.

Sir RICHARD ARKWRIGHT was bred a barber; but his great improvements in the machines for spinning cotton have discovered genius and talents of the first order. His most important invention is the substitution of machinery for the human finger. This great invention has caused a complete revolution in the art of cotton spinning. Speaking of this distinguished mechanic, Professor Griscom has the following remark :-" It would be difficult I think, to name an individual, with the whole civilized world before us, whose inventive powers are better entitled to the grateful applauses of his country." Vide Year in Europe, Vol. 2.

E.

"Mr. WATT's improvements in the steam engine, were so great as to give it almost a new form. Instead of the general practice, which was to condense the steam in the same cylinder in which the piston works, Mr. Watt, after many trials, fell on a plan of saving much of the waste heat and fuel, by causing the steam to pass into a separate vessel for condensation, so that the iron cylinder in which the rarified steam was admitted, to cause the next stroke of the engine, was never cooled at all, and no heat wasted in again bringing it to a proper temperature. This was the first great improvement made by Mr. Watt, and he calculated that it saved nearly two thirds of the steam generated, and fuel consumed." At a meeting recently held in London, for the purpose of erecting a monument to the memory of Watt, the president of the Royal Society (Sir Humphrey Davy) pays the following tribute to his genius. "He was obliged to bring all the mechanical powers, and all the resources of his own fertile mind into

play; he had to convert rectilineal into rotatory motion, and to invent parallel motion. After years of intense labour, he obtained what he wished for, and at last placed the machine entirely under the power of the mechanic, and gave perfection to a series of combinations unrivalled for the genius and sagacity displayed in their invention, and for the new power they have given to civilized man." London Mech. Magazine, Vol. 1.

F.

The great discovery of our countryman, FULTON, in the application of steam to the purposes of navigation, can hardly be considered of less importance, than the previous inventions of Watt. Mr. Fulton presents one of the most remarkable instances of perseverance under difficulties and discouragements, which can be found in the history of the arts. Had he not possessed

"a dauntless soul to persevere,

Though mountains rise, though Alps on Alps appear,"

he never would have succeeded in bringing to perfection an improvement which will cause his name to be remembered, as long as the Hudson or the Mississippi, shall roll their waves. His friend, Mr.Colden, has endeavoured to do justice to his character; but no eulogium can be too great for a man who has rendered such signal service to his country and the arts.

I might have added to this list, the name of another American, whose extraordinary discoveries in regard to the properties of steam, are at present the theme of panegyric on both sides of the Atlantic. But as the improvements of this eminent mechanician, have not yet been sufficiently tested by time, I forbear to enlarge, as I am satisfied that the public will do ample justice to them.

G.

Dr. FRANKLIN, who has before been alluded to, is so well known, that any further remarks relative to him would be superfluous.

It may not be generally known that General NATHANIEL GREENE, who has been considered as second only to WASHINGTON, in point of talents and military skill, was bred an anchor smith. See Johnson's Life of Greene.

ROGER SHERMAN, one of the signers of the declaration of independence, was in early life, a saddler, but by his own industry and application, acquired an education, which enabled him to sus

tain many important offices, with honour to himself and benefit to his country. He was a member of the first Congress in 1774, and continued in it for many years. He was a member of the convention which formed our present constitution. He was also a senator in the Congress of the United States.

See Allen's Biographical Dictionary. 1809.

250 00 1,000 00

750 00

....

estate

Other Property belonging to the Association . . . .
Reversionary Right in late Mr. William Breed's
Advance on Bank Stock may be calculated at

$12,300 00

ODES AND SONGS.

WRITTEN FOR THE SIXTH TRIENNIAL FESTIVAL OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CHARITABLE MECHANIC ASSOCIATION.

ODE.

BY CHARLES SPRAGUE.

[Sung after the delivery of the Address, at the Church in Lynde Street.]

1.

WHEN from the sacred garden driven,
Man fled before his Maker's wrath,
An Angel left her place in heaven,

And crossed the wanderer's sunless path.

"Twas ART! Sweet ART! new radiance broke,
Where her light foot flew o'er the ground,
And thus with seraph voice she spoke,
"The CURSE & BLESSING shall be found."

2.

She led him through the trackless wild,
Where noontide sunbeam never blazed ;—
The thistle shrunk-the harvest smiled,
And nature gladdened as she gazed.
Earth's thousand tribes of living things,
At ART's command to him are given,
The village grows, the city springs,
And point their spires of faith to heaven.

3.

He rends the oak-and bids it ride,
To guard the shores its beauty graced;
He smites the rock-upheaved in pride,
See towers of strength and domes of taste.
Earth's teeming caves their wealth reveal,
Fire bears his banner on the wave,
He bids the mortal poison heal,
And leaps triumphant o'er the grave.

On such social fōrms, our Printers ne'er set up,
And sure, in such cases, no workman will get up,
"The proof of the pudding's in eating," folks cry,
But the Devil himself knows they're not fond of pie.
Derry down, &c.

Cordwainers, when old they are beginning to wax,
Know their soul has no end, and their uppers no tacks,
So when to death's lap-stone their all they commit,
May snug and long quarters succeed their last fit,

When they're down, &c.

Our Tailors from this jolly board will ne'er sheer off,
Since such measures are taken the white cloth to clear off;
In defence of our Freedom, they know how to fell ;
They can collar, cuff, baste, and send foes into

Down, down, &c.

We'll rivet attention to Coppersmiths too,

May their steam-boilers ne'er put the folks in a stew :-
Our Tinmen have hammer'd their plates one and all
Into funnels of Charity in Faneuil Hall,

Derry down, &c.

Our Dyers are true men, though much used to lie,
In Humanity's cause they won't scruple to die.-
Our friend the grave-Stone Cutter, gratitude wins,
For his Charity covers a great many sins,

When we're down, &c.

Our Bookbinders work by the nut and the screw,
When their sheets are all fair, be the cover true blue;
Their alliance be holy, unlike Austria and Prussia,
Or the unletter'd slaves that are all bound in Russia,

Where they're down, &c.

Our Mastmaker spars not with one brother swigger ;—
Our Ropemakers frequently act with some Rigour ;-
Our Sailmakers' work always weathers the gale,
And their votes, at a canvass, will ne'er be for sale.
Derry down, &c.

May our Bakers roll on, and to Charity's meal,

(Till their ashes are cold) may they ne'er make ap-peal;
May their full-crumb sustain the hard lever of woe,

And in life's ample trough, may they ne'er need John Doc.
Derry down, &c.

Our Painters develop the signs of the time,

May they ne'er want a coat, when they're past their best prime: As they can't drink their Easel, as Shakspeare would call it, They'll not brush, while such colours remain for their palette,

Which go down, &c.