LEADEN PIPES. J. Blackburn exhibited a series of leaden pipes from one eighth to two inches in diameter. FILES. G. Cunningham exhibited some files of his own make which were well cut. COOPERS WARE. J. Mulley exhibited a porter barrel of very strong and tight work. LADIES DEPARTMENT. Among the many very beautiful articles exhibited in the ladies' department, we particularly noticed the following: Wax and shell flowers and vases, by Mrs. Ritter. Vases and baskets of flowers in shell work, by Mrs. Buckley. Many beautiful articles in tapestry and other needle work, by ladies unknown to the committee. Also some miniature likenesses, by Miss Milligan, which were much admired for their accuracy and finish. Mrs. Hopwood exhibited a book of "anatomy of expressions," a port folio of pencil sketches, and other drawings. Mrs. Foote, Mrs. Strong, and Misses Gest and Seymour, severally, made donations of many beautiful articles of their own needle, and other fancy work. We regret to say that this department was not as well supplied this year as last. The above was kindly furnished by some of the ladies who superintended their department, by request. FINE ARTS. The committee on this department did not report; it therefore becomes necessary to take some general notice of the artists and their productions. If any thing be omitted it will be for want of information. PAINTINGS. J. Tucker, G. N. Frankenstein, Mr. Powell, T. W. Whitridge, G. W. Brown, D. A Woodward, and T. B. Reed, exhibited several pieces that were very respectable. Also, C. R. Edwards had some that were good for the first efforts at painting. Baldwin's "Hope in despair" was well designed, and although not so well executed as some of his work, it was an amusing piece. By industry and well directed efforts, these young artists may produce something worthy of the city by the next Fair. It is to be regretted that some of their best pieces were not exhibited. Of Beard and Bambrough, it is unnecessary to say much. They and their works are well known in Cincinnati. We hope they or their friends will favor us with more of their works next year. The Farm-yard, the Child and Dog, &c., by Beard, and the Monastic Scenes, by Bambrough, were very beautiful and much admired. SCULPTURE. The Bust of Ex-President Jackson, by Hart, of Kentucky, was regarded as an excellent likeness, and a creditable specimen of workmanship. Clevenger's Busts of Clay and Poindexter, were esteemed correct likenesses and evidence of talents. Bracket's Busts were also good likenesses and well executed for so young an artist. His Poetess, a fancy head, was a very good effort. In both painting and sculpture the specimens generally evince talents worthy of cultivation; but the young aspirants to the Temple of Fame have a long and difficult road to travel ere they reach the summit. We all have talents-but few have application-hence the great difference among men. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE Directors, beg leave briefly to state their views of the advantages to be derived from the Mechanics' Institute. It is well known that the properties of matter and the laws by whicht hey are governed, comprise the fundamental principles on which the whole of the useful arts and manufactures are founded. It is obvious, therefore, that a knowledge of these properties and laws are indispensably necessary to the perfection of those arts and manufactures. This is now so well known, and in so many instances realized in practice, that no one need expect to come into competition with the scientific manufacturer, who does not possess such knowledge and carry it into practice. The primary object of the Institute is to disseminate this very kind of knowledge among the mechanics and manufacturers; for which purpose a regular course of lectures on mechanical and chemical philosophy, is delivered each season-illustrated with a philosophical and chemical apparatus probably not surpassed in the United States,-commencing in October, and terminating in April. These lectures, delivered at least three evenings in the week during said period, comprise an ample illustration of the properties of matter and the mechanical and chemical laws by which they are governed, with their application to the various useful purposes of life. Dynamics, or the universal laws of motion, are illustrated and explained, both theoretically and experimentally, as also the composition, resolution and equilibrium of forces and those applied to the explanation of the properties of the mechanical powers, and thence to the theory and structure of all kinds of 4 machinery, with practical rules for calculating their effects when acted upon by given forces of any kind, whether animal power, wind, water, or steam, by which means the comparative economy of the different species of forces to be applied in any given instances, can be appreciated and its expense calculated, these mechanical principles being amply illustrated and applied to the various useful purposes of life. The agency of Caloric, or the element of heat, in relation to the various states of bodies, whether solid, liquid, or ærioform, the laws of its motion and its consequent effects and phenomena in the various arts and manufactures, is illustrated and explained, and consequently, its connection with the fundamental principles of chemical science. The mechanical and chemical properties of Fluids are next investigated and applied, not only to the useful purposes of life, but also to an explanation of the operations of natural phenomena throughout the widely extended and complex machinery of our atmosphere. The nature of Light, the theory of vision and the doctrine of colors are then illustrated and explained by actual experiment, and thence the principles and structure of the various optical instruments by which our natural vision is increased almost beyond limits, are established on scientific principles. Electricity, Galvanism, Magnetism, and their now wellknown relations in what is called Electro-Magnetism are then made to pass in review before the audience, and their astonishing results illustrated and explained as far as these subjects have yet been investigated. After which Celestial Mechanics, or the science of Astronomy, will be introduced and illustrated by the orery and other appropriate systems of machinery. This brief enumeration will be found to contain the fundamental principles of every useful art and manufacture practiced by man; and, as we have said, those that would keep pace with the improvements of those arts and manufactures, must be acquainted with these principles, or fall behind those who are in possession of them. For example, the chemical and mechanical properties of Steam, and the laws which connect its temperature and expan sive force are now well known; and without this knowledge, it is in vain to attempt to use that Herculean power either with safety or to advantage. Of this, the fatal disasters almost daily happening afford melancholy proof. One motive by which the directors of the Mechanics' Institute were induced to choose for the present location, was to afford an opportunity to all concerned in boat-building, steam-engine factories, and establishments connected with them, to obtain a knowledge of the mechanical, chemical and philosophical principles on which their respective arts are founded. If, with a practical knowledge which the persons alluded to must acquire, they were also acquainted with these principles, they would be the most competent not only to erect, but also to superintend both steamboats and steam engines: and the Directors entertain sanguine hopes that the opportunities now held out to such persons will be embraced, and if so, they trust the time is not remote when Cincinnati will be the nursery of a class of men now more wanted throughout the civilized world than any other: viz: the class of men whose practical and seientific attainments, sobriety and moral conduct will qualify them for directing the energies of steam in all its various applications, without any danger to those within the sphere of its action. In addition to the lectures which we have briefly noticed, there are organized annually one or more classes in mathematics, to enable the younger members of the Institute the better to understand the instruction in chemistry and mechanics, and to fit them more thoroughly for the successful management of their several pursuits. Here, besides the study of mathematics, they freely discuss the various topics presented at the lectures, and acquire habits of observation, thought and investigation. These youths derive (though aided by a teacher) their chief advantage from the principle of mutual instruction. Here they express themselves with freedom, and they learn to deliver their thoughts with ease and accuracy. To all these privileges may be added that of the library, which is extended to all the members, without any additional |