mains to be effected. A manufacturing eye, and in the enduring of selfish, jealous, and when examining various articles contained stupid opposition; and would, in a word, set in the antiquarian department of museums, them forward early in their course upon the will derive from them the conviction that, hopeful path of practicable improvement, on many points, those ancient workers beat both as to mechanical appliances, and as to us that they well understood processes of chemical processes. On this wide and fruitful which we have called ourselves the invent- theme it would be easier to fill volumes than ors; and more than this, that they did with to restrict one's-self to a page. Confining ease some things which we cannot now do at ourselves as we must, within narrow limits, all. We use the phrase, "a manufacturing we ask the reader to understand us in coneye," and we wish to convey the idea that, veying, in this paragraph, with emphasis, apart from a practical concernment with our deep conviction of the importance of esmanufacturing processes, no amount of an- tablishing, at the centre of the British manutiquarian learning, no book-learning, not facturing world, a CHAIR OF HISTORY, devoteven that of our German neighbours, will ed, not to the spectres of the as-well-forgotavail in the endeavour to find out what it is ten past, but to those substantial matters out which in truth was "known to the ancients." of which has grown the COMMERCIAL SUPREMedieval manufacturing art opens an- MACY OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. other, and a wide field of inquiry, in ex- Political economy, statistics, and those ploring which, with the combined aid of various subjects which bear upon the social mediæval learning, and of manufacturing welfare of industrial communities would, of familiarity with modern processes, there course, in the Institute before us, lay hold of would be a good chance of hitting upon some those special points which bring them near valuable secrets, tending to the restoration to the business and interests of all men, the of arts that have fallen into oblivion. employers and the employed, of a manufacBut now, as to modern manufactures, and turing population. Nothing can be much modern inventions, the products and glory of more important, as related to the tranquilthis age of inventive wonders, we are em- lity of the social system throughout these boldened to speak with confidence in saying districts, and to the prosperous concurrence that a HISTORY PROFESSOR Who himself has of all ranks and orders within it, than thishad to do with each of the principal lines of that the philosophy of industry, embracing manufacture, and who has pursued, or has whatever relates to the employment of capbecome acquainted with, that course of alter-ital, and to the remuneration of labour, as nate success and failure, and ultimate accomplishment, which has brought them to be what they now are, might throw into a course of lectures a digest of information which would be incalculably valuable, and in the most direct manner available for the guidance of those who, by gift of nature, and by sufficient instruction, may be qualified to introduce further improvements. We are quite willing that, in a college devoted to the carrying forward a gentleman-like edu- We now approach a topic of some imcation, an accomplished History Professor portance, in our view, but one that is not should set before his class, for instance, the very easily dealt with. Here again the divaconsequences of the Peloponnesian war; rication is wide between the studies of color let him descant upon the fabulosity of leges, such as are, and the studies proper to early Roman history, or let him make intel- a college which is yet in the future. ligible, if he can, the diplomatic policy of With our full consent let all honour be mediæval Venice, or anything else of the rendered to the Father of syllogisms, as well same sort; all this is doubtless very good, as to the modern expounders of his logicbut it is not the thing which we ought to the accomplished teachers of logic, and of find a-going at the core of a manufacturing metaphysics. This logic, and this metadistrict. Instead of it we ask that the youth physics, strangely called sometimes "Menof such a district, one in every generation of tal Philosophy," holds of right a foremost whom perhaps might be looked upon as an place in a course of college education which embryo Watt or Arkwright, should receive is intended to give a finish and a concision to that sort of premonitive learning which that intellectuality which should be the fruit would at once save them from the misdirec- of other studies. A lawyer should have tion of their energies-fortify their constan- passed through this training, which may give cy in the bearing up under disappointments, him promptness and astuteness in carrying

well as to the domestic habits of the labouring class--the municipal regulations, to combinations, lawful or illicit, to education, to visible religion, to public health, should be thoroughly understood, and that this sort of information should be well diffused among the people. These subjects, and their countless points of contact with local interests, must find their place in a scheme of education adapted to the region where it is established.

on the impromptu wranglings of a court of justice. A gentleman also, who may figure in the senate, should have submitted himself to the same drilling, for a reason not very dissimilar; and a clergyman, no doubt, and anybody else that likes it--let him become skilled in the existing logic.

But now let us be told what may be the bearing of this logic upon the arduous business of life? We risk an answer, None whatever; or, if any, the least imaginable. How far forward will this logic carry a man in pushing his way among the difficulties of his course in this rough world? barely a step onward. But is there not then, or might there not be, a REAL LOGIC; we mean a useful, a helpful logic, which a man who has learned it, instead of forgetting it the day after he has doffed his cap and gown, will keep his hold of from year to year? We are prepared to answer in the affirmative.

stand by what mental processes it is that things unknown are to be discovered, and things hitherto unaccomplished are to be done, would go to work in the most direct manner, and would reach their end sooner, and reach it less expensively, and more ef fectively.

There is, therefore (so we think) A LOGIC OF INVENTION, or there might be such a logic -a logic to which a degree of scientific coherence might be imparted, and which, when embodied in a course of lectures, might be taught with great advantage. In going over the history of the principal British manufactures one meets with instances in which great costs have been incurred in abortive endeavours to effect purposes which, after a time, were shown to be indirect in relation to their ultimate purpose; and which come to be suddenly superseded by the discovery of simpler and more straightforward methods of proceeding. Very often extensive circuits of this kind have been pursued in consequence of some confused apprehension of the principles of inventive intellectation. It should then be the object of a manufacturing college training to save the cost of all such errors; and if we may use a figure, to lay down roads over the field of the future, in relation both to discovery and to invention, in each of the great lines of industrial art.

Whatever that field may be which stretches itself out in front of us, whether it be a field of discovery, or a field of labour, the human mind makes its way across it only by conforming itself to the laws of its own intellectual constitution. These laws are few and simple; but they undergo endless modifications, partly as affected by the individual structure of each mind; and partly as they are related to the particular subject which is to be understood, mastered, or disposed of. These elementary working laws of the hu- Processes relating either to the laws of man reason may be obeyed either with a re- the material world, or to its various natural flective cognizance of the intellectual pro- substances, may be subjected to a logic that cess; or without any such knowledge. For is constant in its principles, because those instance, the man of inventive genius is one laws are constant, and because those subwho hits upon the most felicitous combina- stances are always the same. But beyond tions of mechanical appliances, and does so these regions of invariable sequences, or of intuitively, unconsciously; or to express the uniform phenomena, human skill has to bring same thing otherwise, he is one in whose itself into combination with things that are structure of mind the elementary laws of inconstant and variable, or that are so apthought are developed in their purest condi-parently; of this kind are all those evolution of abstract simplicity. It would at once be a superfluous labour and an impossible endeavor to teach this man the logic or rationale of those intellectual evolutions which are going on so well within him, untrained, and in the freedom of an undogmatized vitality.

tions of an industrial and commercial commonwealth which involve human motives, and human courses of conduct, and which are partly physical, partly moral, as to the influences they obey. On this ground there is then, or might be, a logic of common life; -there is a science, and there is a thencederived art, the intention of which is to establish those generalizations which, in rela

But instances of this kind are exceptive, and as to the mass of minds they must be taught those things which a very few mention to human affairs, may be regarded as in know by intuition, or by inspiration. Grant it, that a few signal inventions which give a new direction to human industry, must be waited for rare products as they are of rare natural gifts. Meanwhile there is always work to be done which cannot be waited for; but which must be done daily by those who, if they were well instructed for this species of labour, and if they were made to under

some measure uniform, and upon a knowledge of which individual judgments may be founded with an approximate calculation as to the issue. A genuine practical logic, applicable to the intricate movements, and to the complicated interactions of a highly-wrought industrial community, is, we think, a desideratum, and if so, it would be the office of a Professor of Logic in a college such as we

system, must have its resources, its funds, and, we must add, its substantial endowments, its unfailing perennial revenues. Perhaps we might make our halt at this point. If funds are forthcoming, any difficulties that may attend the devising and organizing the new Chairs, would speedily give way before the energy and the intelligence which are always at command in this part of the world, But if, on the contrary, no such resources are within our reach, then we may as well postpone, to some distant time of leisure, whatever we might have intended to say in continuation of the subject.

are thinking of, to supply this want, and to bring the results of his studies to bear with force upon the minds of those who would be preparing to enter upon the laborious courses of common life. The Aristotelian logic, in its modern forms, may help you to disengage yourself from any of those sophisms that screen themselves among the ambiguities of language. But a genuine and a useful logic would be a defence against those delusions and those illusions that infest the jungles of the busy world. The one is a scheme exhibiting the philological apposition of terms, ending, at the best, in a few improved definitions of abstract words, in the enunciation Yet whence should any such funds arise? of more refined distinctions among syno- Shall we, as the phrase is, "apply for aid to nyms, and in a less ambiguous collocation of Government?" Let us do so if we have this or that abstract proposition. To pro- learned no wisdom from the humiliating expound, in a better manner than heretofore periences of the past twelve months! But has been done, what you already know, is its not unless we wish to bring into the heart of highest possible triumph. But a real logic, the manufacturing district, a new exhibition not dealing with verbiages, but with things, of incompetency, jobbery, nepotism; not unnot fastidious as to language, but in earnest less we wish to overlay the effective enerabout realities, would give us a sure word of gies of the people of these industrial districts testimony drawn from the largest human with the commingled mindlessness, infatua experiences, concerning the best footpath, or tion, corruption, which, in the face of the the "wont-way," across that rugged surface world, have lately covered the British honour which human feet are destined ever and with shame? In relation to any project toagain to traverse. ward which it might seem natural and prudent to invite the aid of Government, the British people have, let us believe it, learned a lesson which, recorded as it has been upon the page of our history in letters of blood, is not likely to be forgotten. Our neighbours may imagine that we shall sicken of our free institutions on these accounts, and shall wish to exchange our representative system for those despotisms and those "better managements" which they boast of. We shall neither do this, nor (as some may be inclined to do) shall fret because the Parliament-created administrative government of the British Empire, when brought into comparison with the centralizing despotisms of the continental nations, is seen to be less intelligent than any of them, and shows not merely a want of consciousness in relation to whatever is intellectual, but often a stolid antagonism toward it. All this is the unavoidable result of a political mechanism which thrusts forward into the place of power a particular class of men-men who may be actuated by low political aims, and who may be incapaIt is clear that a scheme, of whatever kind, ble of apprehending anything that is not in devised with any such intention as this, must the routine of parliamentary business. By first have assigned to it "a local habitation such men often England must consent to be and a name." Whatever is done must ema- governed, so long as it continues to be gov nate from a centre, and it must be watched erned in the Commons' House of Parlia over and carried forward by a combination ment. Let us then cease to be angry at of individual persons thereunto appointed. what is manifestly inevitable. But a disMoreover, such a scheme, like everything tinct knowledge of the fact, seen to be a conelse which lives and moves within the social stant condition of the English administrative

We have said enough to show that, while we not merely recognise but reverence also, not merely science but literature; and while we cordially rejoice in seeing the one as well as the other zealously prosecuted by accomplished men, who for themselves scout utilitarian motives, we yet are wishing to see put in movement a system of training which should rest itself upon broader and upon lower ground; and in giving effect to which, men, not inferior to any others in their accomplishments, should plainly avow those motives of which all men feel the force in their everyday work.

a

What is it then that might be done as commencement, with the view of giving effect to a scheme of this sort? In offering a reply to this question, we must protest against the supposition that we aim at more than to indicate, with all humility, a course, (one out of several that are imaginable) and in pursuing which the end intended might be

secured.

system, should preclude an endeavour to it. It would not be too much to require of draw the attention of "Government" toward one and the same professor, that, in his anany scheme, however practicable or however nual circuits, he should take cognizance of useful, which involves or supposes, on the the several branches of manufacturing induspart of public men, a philosophic feeling, and try; or let us say, the metallurgic, the texsome instructed intelligence, as well as disin- tile, the fictile, and the decorative-which comterested patriotism. bines the three. The scientific qualification for this comprehensive task would be nearly the saine for all; and as to the practical

and quick perceptions, would easily, within the compass of two or three years, make himself master of all these processes, so far at least as could be serviceable for the purposes intended.

Nor is there any need to "look to Government" in this instance. The great Manufacturing Commonwealth has at its com- qualification, a man of active intelligence, mand, a thousand times over, the resources requisite for any such purposes as those which we have now in view; and not only has it the pecuniary resources, but the resources intellectual also; it has not merely money enough, but mind enough; and in both respects it is far richer than Government. What is needed is, that the leading persons in this community should wake up to a consciousness that their INTERESTSusing the word in its most familiar and intelligible sense-are at this time, if not in extreme peril, yet in a state which calls for a more thoughtful looking after than hitherto has been brought to bear upon them.

These purposes are two; or we might say that the formal appointment of a duly qualified scientific man to visit, periodically, foreign manufacturing establishments, might be made, at one and the same cost, to subserve two ends, each of which has importance enough to warrant whatever might be its cost. The first of these would relate to the measures of an association of manufactures; the second, to a course of college lectures and When we speak of these interests as now to a systematic training of youths destined in some jeopardy, it is because we have facts to take their parts in mills, factories, shops, in view that are admitted by all who take foundries, laboratories.

same stores. With any such relations or reciprocities as these, we do not now concern ourselves; albeit they might well engage the attention of commercial and statistic persons.

the pains requisite for ascertaining them. Is A word as to the first of these two purit not a fact that, as to each of the principal poses. In a strictly commercial sense, the lines of national industry, we are running a several lines of industrial art are only incirace with accomplished competitors in Belgi-dentally, and under varying conditions, deum, in France, in Germany, in Switzerland, pendent one upon another-one species of in Austria, and in the United States? Is it manufacture opening a road sometimes for not a fact that our stated customers, all the another in foreign markets, or perhaps two world over, are at this time looking about to or more manufactures abreast, pushing their see where they can lay out their money to way on ward over the same ground; or, as asthe best advantage? These things being no-sociated, finding a transient warehousing in the torious, and inasmuch as preparations, on a very extensive scale, are at this moment making in the above-named countries, or in some of them, to extend the existing manufacturing operations, and as, moreover, in But when manufactures are regarded in a excellence of workmanship we have already scientific light, we do not know that there is been surpassed by some of our rivals, it an exception to the rule, that Industrial Art would be a fatal mistake to imagine that, from is ONE ART; for it is dependent upon the the position we have so long occupied of ac- same physical principles; it employs essenknowledged superiority, there is no danger tially the same forces, and often it works of our being driven-and this notwithstand-upon the same materials; and, which is still ing the solidity of the basis on which Eng- more to our purpose, it is constantly passing lish industry has been reared. Therefore it through nearly analogous cycles of progresis that we ought to know authentically, and sive enlargement and improvement; and is in detail, and at short intervals of time, what undergoing similar crises, and seasons of our neighbours are doing, and how they do convulsion or difficulty. With confidence, it, and what they are preparing to do, more therefore, we affirm the belief, that a manuthan at present. A report, prepared after a facturing corporation, or association, bringcircuit, made by a competent person, who ing together, periodically, and for conference, should be accomplished as a man of science, the most intelligent members of the manuand familiarly conversant also with each of facturing community, gathered from all the principal manufacturing processes, should quarters, would, or might, in a signal manbe periodically presented to a council, or ner, promote the interests of each and of all; committee, appointed to receive and consider and would, after a while, bring about a sort D-3

VOL. XXIV.

of correspondence which is needed for carry-ufacturing community to a sense of its own ing improved methods into every deparment interests as should insure it to do that which to which, by analogy, they are adapted, or to itself would be easier than the easiest of adaptable.

Already we have ventured to express our opinion that an association of the kind now in view should invite to its meetings, and should organically include a certain number of those meritorious men who, as managers and heads of departments in manufacturing establishments, are giving proof of intelligent assiduity, and are making good their title to be treated with consideration, as well by their employers as by professedly scientific persons. We fully believe that in a communionship of this kind the substantial advantages thence resulting would be very evenly balanced.

its customary combination movements. Such a consciousness of a common interest may perhaps spring up on a sudden, when some unlooked for success of our Continental and Transatlantic rivals shall have convinced all concerned that we have too confidently supposed British manufacturing interests to be open to no danger..

common to the several lines of manufacture. The travelling costs, and the stipends of these professors, we should hold to be a matter absolutely of no moment when thought of in relation to the great interests which are to be promoted and secured. This is, in fact, the mode of estimating the cost which enlightened and liberally-minded men will adopt, when their thoughts come to be distinctly turned toward the subject.

But if we imagine that a conviction has actually taken possession of the minds of leading men that all means should be used which tend to set these interests in a position of security as related to foreign competition, then the most obvious preliminary measure would be the appointment of a scientifically qualiNow as to the second of the purposes al- fied professor of manufacturing art (two or luded to above, namely, the institution of a three might well be employed.) The busicollege course, under one or more professors, ness of this professor, or of these professors, and also a winning of honours available to a would be, as we have said, to make the ciryouth on his entrance upon the scene of his cuit of the manufacturing districts of Europe, labours for life. We think that Owens Col- and of the United States; and while doing lege, planted, as already it is, at the heart of so, at once to gather information which would the manufacturing commonwealth, and en- be immediately available at home, and to dowed as it is, and provided as it is with a increase their own qualifications as teachers staff of efficient and accomplished teachers, of those principles and practices which are and thus by these several means occupying, as it does, a strong position as representing Philosophy and Science, irrespectively of utilitarian purposes, and of Learning too, it might with great advantage be made the nucleus of an educational scheme, suited to the wants of the district, and in connecting itself with which it would itself gain strength, and draw towards itself the means of enlargement, as well as augment its local influence. The well understood precariousness of an institution like Owens College, and the doubtfulness of the experiment as related to Manchester, turn upon the fact of its offering to the youth of the district a general education, the value of which may not perhaps be appreciated as it might, either by fathers or sons. It is a college course, leading to nothing definite, as related either to general business, or to any of the professions. It is too much a school, carrying forward the incomplete education of the boy to a somewhat more advanced point. Owens College has not yet planted itself across the road, with its gates and its turnstile, through which every youth must inevitably pass on his way toward his future position on the field of professional ambition.

This serious disadvantage, involving as it does the question of success, or of utter failure, might with little difficulty be obviated by arrangements that are easily imagined. The whole of the difficulty would attach to the initial work of so far awakening the man

On the ground, therefore, of this belief, we exclude from our present calculation the costs involved in the appointment, and the support of our intended professor or professors. Let him, or let them, be thought of as appointed and commissioned by an association which itself represents the British manufacturing interests. The times of the foreign circuit would easily be brought into relation with college terms, and the professor, refreshed by his Continental tour, would meet his class well furnished with materials for illustrating every branch of his course of instruction, by pertinent examples, gathered from all quarters.

Whence, then, is to come this class, and on what condition should it be constituted? These are questions of the highest importance.

A course of things which would inevitably come about spontaneously, after a time, would no doubt need a little helping forward at the commencement;-that is to say, there must be an undertaking among manu