SECTION II.

ADVANTAGES OF KNOWLEDGE.

THE value of knowledge, and the advantage it gives its possessor, may be seen in a variety of ways. The evils of ignorance were shown by directing the attention to the fears and sufferings of those individuals and nations upon whom the light of knowledge has never shone. In the same way we might show the advantages of knowledge by referring to the means of happiness, and the enjoyments of those nations where the individuals are enlightened; where the sun of knowledge has shone upon the whole people. By comparing an ignorant people with one that is enlightened, we shall see that knowledge prevents those crimes and cruelties which render a nation dishonoured and debased; while on the other hand, it has conferred the means of improvement and enjoyment which has made the nation prosperous, honoured, and happy. If all could make such a comparison between a literate and illiterate people, as to obtain the aggregate of the pains and pleasures which each suffers and enjoys, we would want no other proof of the advantages of knowledge, than the one this comparison would present.

But there are few, if any, who do this. The greatest number of any people are but imperfectly acquainted with their own condition; they know not the distinguishing privileges which they may possess; nor the wretchedness of their condition when compared with the more favoured. And when men are conscious of possessing comforts which they see are denied to others, they seldom think of that which makes the difference. They are contented with their enjoyments, and appear insensible to that which produced them. The ignorant and the wretched know not the conveniences which the enlightened possess, nor the enjoyment of the exercise of their moral and intellectual nature, and are therefore contented with their wretched existence. Thus, since the exalted are indifferent to that which gave them their distinction, and the debased to that which might improve their condition, it will be well to consider some of the advantages of knowledge which have blessed the one, and which may assist the other.

Knowledge, by showing the true principles and nature of things, will prevent those evils which originate in ignorance. The phenomena of nature, which were once beheld with alarm, will be converted by the enlightened into sources of enjoyment, and be contemplated with emotions of delight. They will watch the appearance of these phenomena with joy and eagerness, that they may form more enlarged and correct ideas of their Great Creator. The enlightened will be less de

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ceived by the false maxims and philosophy in the world. They will throw off the oppression of their fellow-men, and claim their freedom and their rights. That which their Creator intended for a good and a blessing, they may no longer abuse by ignorant perversions. They will see the relations which they have to their fellow-men, to society, and to the constitution of the world; and having seen these natural laws which the Creator has given for their rule of life, they will be more disposed to obey them, and thus receive the reward of obedience. The enlightened may greatly increase their own happiness and the happiness of mankind, by contributing to the advancement of the useful arts and sciences.

All science is founded upon facts; these facts are obtained by observing Nature; and who is there that has a better opportunity for making such observations than the intelligent farmer. Nature is his companion; her wonderful productions and changes are constantly before him. Nature and he are coworkers, toiling hand in hand to supply the world's returning wants. He sees Nature in her most secret workings, acts with her in her silent operations, and wherever he may be, he may learn a lesson from her instructions which will enable him to inform the wise, and make him a teacher from the great school of the Creator. He may be daily collecting facts which will establish or destroy some doubtful principle,

or be the means of creating a new science to benefit the world as long as time shall last.

The intelligent practical man is able to make a fair trial of the projected improvements of the theorist, and thus secure a good or prevent an imposition. The labouring man has taught the world many of its most useful lessons; and a great part of that knowledge which is now multiplying the necessaries, and increasing the pleasures of life, has been furnished by the observing farmer or the skilful mechanic. If all men were intelligent enough to think when they observe, and active enough to observe when they think, how much that is useful, but unknown, would soon be discovered!

Knowledge will make mechanics more skilful in the arts; for every art is founded on scientific principles, and he who has a knowledge of the principles of a science, must be more skilful in the practice of the arts, and will be prepared to carry them to the highest point of improvement. It should be the desire of every one to furnish the head with such knowledge that it will be able to assist the hands. A mechanic, by exercising his ingenuity and the powers of a cultivated mind, might save himself much of that labour which he will otherwise be obliged to go through. Every mechanic may lessen and lighten his daily task, if he will but inform his mind in the nature and principles of his art, as well as practise his limbs in the mechanical exercise of the trade. Knowledge would not only render mechanics more skilful, but would enable

them to produce articles of greater perfection. That which is done by a mere habit of muscular movement, cannot have that perfection and finish which the mind in co-operation could have given it. There is no part of mechanism whatever, that can be well understood, or profitably employed, without more or less knowledge of the principles of its action. We every day see intelligent mechanics who make better articles and obtain a higher price for them than the more ignorant of the same trade are able to do. When intelligence comes in to aid mechanical skill, it will always obtain the advantage. An ignorant artist is not able to judge of the good or bad qualities of the materials which he must use in the manufacture of his articles. He is liable to be deceived in these, and thus loses all his labour. Good and bad materials are always in market, and he who has knowledge sufficient to discriminate, and form a right estimation of the comparative values of each, will secure many good bargains, and escape many impositions.

We see, also, the decided advantage which the intelligent agriculturist has over his less informed neighbours. The ignorant do as their fathers have done, and know not that there are improvements in the implements of husbandry. They know not that the cultivation of the soil can be far better understood by a little inquiry into its nature, and by a knowledge of that which is adapted to invigorate it. A profitable culture of the soil requires no inconsiderable knowledge of the best manner of preparing it for the several grains or