out education, busily employed in mechanical industry. I have the pleasure to be acquainted, in one of the neighbouring towns, with a person, who was brought up to the trade of a leather-dresser, and has all his life worked, and still works, at this business. He has devoted his leisure hours, and a portion of his honourable earnings, to the cultivation of useful and elegant learning. Under the same roof, which covers his store and workshop, he has the most excellent library of English books, for its size, with which I am acquainted. The books have been selected with a good judgment, which would do credit to the most accomplished scholar, and have been imported from England by himself. What is more important than having the books, their proprietor is well acquainted with their contents. Among them are several volumes of the most costly and magnificent engravings. Connected with his library, is an exceedingly interesting series of paintings, in water-colours, which a fortunate accident placed in his possession, and several valuable pictures, purchased by himself. 'The whole form a treasure of taste and knowledge, not surpassed, if equalled, by any thing of its kind in the country."

Governor Everett might have added that the leading traits in Mr. Dowse's character are sound sense and good taste; and no more decisive proof of these characteristics could be given than his steady adherence to his original business. In the same address from which the above paragraph is quoted, the eloquent orator urges upon his hearers that every working man should cultivate his mind to the utmost of his ability; and he quotes examples of many who have thus raised themselves to conspicuous offices and honours. I would urge upon all working men the same duty of mental cultivation, not as affording the opportunity of abandoning their trade; but as giving them the means of dignifying and embellishing it. Lorenzo de Medicis by commerce raised his family to princely rank—they were the merchant kings of their age. The American mechanic has no occasion to seek any advancement of this sort, for every voter in our country is something greater than a king; by virtue of the elective franchise he is a maker of kings. When I speak of adhering to one's trade, I would by no means be understood to lay down a rule without exceptions. Emergencies may occur which shall render it a paramount duty to enter

upon a new and difficult profession. The mechanic, like any other citizen, may be suddenly called upon to shoulder his musket and defend his country from invasion, as happened in the case of General Greene; or he may be required to aid the same great cause by his wisdom in council, as in the case of Sherman and Franklin. When a country is to be saved by valour or wisdom, it becomes a matter of absolute necessity that the working men should contribute a large contingent towards the grand army of defence as well as the council of the nation. For a time, at least, a new course of life must then be embraced. But the greatest, and most celebrated among those who have been detached from their trade in this or in any other way, have always shown an honest pride in their original calling. Girard wrote himself mariner in his will; and Franklin called himself printer in his epitaph.

CHAPTER III.

THE MECHANIC SHOULD HONOUR HIS TRADE.

I HAVE already insisted that the mechanic in order to be useful, happy and respectable, should become a thorough master of his trade, and should remain attached to it. I would in the next place urge upon him the duty and policy which dictate that he should honour his trade. There are two ways in which this may be done: first, by seeking distinction in it; and secondly, by adorning it with intellectual re

creations.

The love of distinction is common to nearly all men; and the most remarkable and conspi cuous diversities of character are produced by the different modes in which this favourite ob ject is pursued. One man seeks it by brilliant deeds in the public service, another by munifi cent institutions. Here we see distinction courted by eloquence, and there by learning Some hope to become distinguished by their literary efforts, or their scientific discoveries, while others, with a less laudable, but not less

earnest ambition, seek to attract public attention by mere eccentricity of character or extravagance in conduct, dress or equipage. Doubtless this passion, so generally prevalent among men, has been implanted in the human breast for a wise and useful purpose; and it is therefore right to allow it a field for action, provided that field be a safe and honourable one. If this postulate be granted, I would ask what could afford a fairer and nobler field for any man's ambition, than the pursuit of distinction by extraordinary excellence in his trade or profession. Each of the mechanical trades affords ample room for the exercise of ingenuity in the improvement of its processes, and the consequent improvement of its products; and the free institutions and abundant resources of our country, and the ease with which the workman may support himself, has already enabled American industry and invention in many instances to claim the admiration of the world. It must be a proud reflection to the American mechanic, that one of his class has exacted the most unequivocal homage to the genius of our country from the proud Sultan of the East, by his won. derful skill as a naval constructor; and every Philadelphian may justly entertain a feeling of