27 Original Communications. To the Editor of the London Journal of Arts, &c. I TAKE the liberty of sending a few more remarks upon the Mechanics' Institute, which I should feel obliged by your inserting in the Journal of Arts, &c. for January, after such a revision as you may judge proper. I have in no way enlarged upon the plans already proposed; but should they ever be noticed in any way favourably, I shall be happy to render them more connected. I have watched, with some anxiety, the formation of the Mechanics' Institute, anticipating that, in some de gree, my hopes of an extensively beneficial society were on the point of being realized :—that I was disappointed you may have seen, by the little of common that there is between my humble suggestions and the ideas of the projectors of this institution. The silent reception it has met with from the greater and better portion of scientific men, is, perhaps, a comment upon its merit that renders superfluous any remark from an individual; however, as I do not profess to be so very scientific, and do not exactly concur in this silent judgment, I shall venture to infringe upon it with a feeble whisper, which, if it but meet with an echo, though discordant, will have per formed its mission. The formation of a new society for the promotion of art and science, appears to me a subject of such great importance, as to be deserving of the most se rious attention from every individual who has a proper interest in the welfare of his country, and to be a claim upon him to join publicity to his opinion. If we reflect upon the great care requisite in the construction of any society, having the benefit of mankind really at heart, we cannot but lament that the weighty responsibility of its success should thus apathetically be cast upon a single individual. A society once established, that falls short of what it professed and ought to be, is, as existing witnesses but too plainly avouch, for ever lost to reformation. Its constructors are naturally prejudiced in favour of their own production, and thus fondly blind, are rarely conscious of its inadequacy, though even should their eyes be opened by some friendly hand, it is still more rarely that pride will allow of a public declaration of error, by any useful amendment. Hence the more extension the influence of such a society, the less chance is there of effectual improvement, and the greater the mischief it produces; for the inclination and support of those who are really desirous of contributing to a good purpose, are diverted into a wrong channel; and by the bad perversity of a few, institutions actually projected with benevolent views, become in a greater degree detrimental. Nominally useful, few enquire whether they be really so, and the voice of that few is wasted upon a prejudiced audience. A position generally granted must be infallibly true, and who will be presumptuous enough to impeach the correctness of a conclusion so universally satisfactory. Had a proper interest been evinced at the birth of this institution, by those most capable of framing it, we might have expected a very different production, but the time has now gone by when such aid would have proved serviceable, and we have left us but the hope, that when again so fair a prospect is opened, it will not be blighted by such chilling disregard. It is of no great use to seek the cause of this disdain, perhaps; but it may not be amiss to hint to the future instigator of a similar scheme, that he seek the required support before he attempts to carry it into execution; for he may be assured, that after having once commenced upon his own resources, he will be left to proceed upon them, for the door is closed to all aid. The present form of the new institution appears so contracted in its views, that we may scarcely anticipate any very extensive benefit. There are those who ridicule the idea of giving instruction to the working classes, and refer us to the fable of the Jewels and the Swine; although I am very far from being of that number, yet, upon the present plan, I cannot but concur with one of them in thinking "a little knowledge" likely to prove “a dangerous thing." It is evident that a man who has to work for his daily subsistence, whatever may be his inclination, can attain but " a little knowledge," and if he be left to apply that knowledge after his own will, the chances are a thousand to one against its proper application; for it is but too common, that a man's attainments rank higher in a tenfold degree in his own estimation, than in that of any other person; and we have too often to lament the consequences of this conceit, not to fear them in the present instance. It appears to me that there are but two ways by which this institution might become of any material advantage, but neither of these are discernible in its plans. Either to make philosophers of the operatives themselves, or to call in the aid of philosophers. The first of these is an impracticability, by reason that a liberal education, in the first place, and subsequently continued study, are indispensable requi sites. How these are compatible with the times and habits of the working classes, it would give me pleasure to see demonstrated. The second, is the ground-work of the few suggestions I have before advanced, and seems to me the only probable means of promoting a proper union of theory with practice. By such an association, the philosopher and the mechanic would mutually benefit the former by the observations of the mechanic, and the latter by the attainment and proper exercise of that portion of knowledge which it is possible for the Mechanics' Institute to inculcate. Let the mechanic devote every leisure moment to the cultivation of theoretic knowledge, he will never, unless blessed with Herculean faculties, attain sufficient to enable him to comprehend many abstruse points that may occur to himwhat he does acquire will be but just sufficient to increase his perplexities, speculations will become more alluring, and he will more frequently fall a victim to illusive. schemes; for in mechanical philosophy certes "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing." All this is advanced upon the supposition that the application of these acquirements is left to his own discretion; but had he the advantage of competent judges to refer his schemes to, and who would direct him in the choice of proper experiments, this would become of inestimable value to him, and his time and pecuniary resources would be spared for more useful purposes; for if his conditions were well founded, he would find those who could aid him in digesting and carrying them into practice. I have been at some pains to comprehend the plans of the Mechanics' Institute; but its" rules and orders," form so poor an index to its views, that I cannot discover any thing beyond the distribution of "a little knowledge" among the working classes. If it had in view the aid of our London institutions, I fear they will be found but imaginary " points: d'appui." Were it possible for separate societies to produce the effect of their several objects united in one 1 association, as ours are now constituted, their aid would be but an empty name. It was a conviction of their inadequacy to any thing extensively useful, that induced an attempt to overcome the humble instrument of their re-formation, by endeavours to draw public attention towards them, and had I but powers equal to my will to benefit science, I doubt not that attention would have been granted. The Society of Arts, &c. does not, I believe, (for I judge only from the admission of gentlemen of my acquaintance) profess that its members should possess any other merit than the capability of paying the subscription. Thus they have a herd of beings attached to their corps, whose sole business or utility is to vote for the admission of their similars. However to perform the objects of this society, I am perfectly aware that science is not requisite, and I conceive it to be the most useful one of the kind that London can boast; but that its principles might be more advantageously applied, is apparent, by a view of the premiums proposed for the next season. Fifty or a hundred guineas are offered for inventions and discoveries, that few, for such a consideration, would neglect to secure by patent; moreover, models of the inventions, and proofs of their utility, must be produced, consequently they must have been perfected and brought to the best of practice. This is undoubtedly correct. But who would assist the poor mechanic in attaining this perfection? Scarcely any one who has made any valuable discovery, will seek the premium of this society upon such conditions. The model of many machines would cost more than the highest premium, and those who seek to profit by their genius, would incur this expence. It is from these causes that we have seen many a season when the most valuable |