Mechanics' magazine and register of inventions and improvements . ans be persuaded, that the pe-cuhar aptitude for combining and appMngthe simple powers of mechamcs so as to produce these marvellous operations, does notimply a vivacity of the imagination, not in-ferior to that of the poet and the orator. Andthen, as to the effect on society, the is true, operates, in the first instance, onmere physical elements, to produce an accu-mulation and distribution of property. Butdo not all the arts of civilization follow inthe tram ? and has not he, who has trebledthe value of land, create
Mechanics' magazine and register of inventions and improvements . ans be persuaded, that the pe-cuhar aptitude for combining and appMngthe simple powers of mechamcs so as to produce these marvellous operations, does notimply a vivacity of the imagination, not in-ferior to that of the poet and the orator. Andthen, as to the effect on society, the is true, operates, in the first instance, onmere physical elements, to produce an accu-mulation and distribution of property. Butdo not all the arts of civilization follow inthe tram ? and has not he, who has trebledthe value of land, created capital, rescuedthe population from the necessity of ami- grating, and covered a waste withplenty has not he done a service to the country, ofthe highest moral and intellectual character ?Prosperity is the parent of civilization, andall its refinements ; and ever>- family of pros-perous citizens added to the community, isan addition of so many thinking, inventing,moral, and immortal natures. On Mr. Whitneys tomb is the followincmscription: ^ Straight Edges. EU WHITXEV,The inventor of the Cotton useful science and arts, the efficient1 V patron and improver. 4^*^ ?.elations of life, a model oGexceUencew tale private affection weeps at his tomb. liis country honors his memory. ttmi December 8, 1765.—Died Jannnr%- 8 1825 Straight Edges.—Among mechanicsthere are probably but few who do not the value of a good straight edgetor ascertaining the correctness of theirwork, and I presume that a description ofthe method practised, and the theory uponwhich it is based, will be interesting. Thereare doubtless many that like myself havethought it absurd, even when told seriously,by good practical workmen, that it was im-possible to make one straight edge, withoutmaking three, or that one plate of an air-pump could not be ground flat, unless threewere ground at the same time. When I inquired the reason of this, Icould get no other from my in-formant tha
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