THE MECHANIC.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2853, 6 April 1878, Page 4

THE MECHANIC.

(IROH MOUIDEBS' JOVIBiATi.)

There are many—aye —too many who imagine the above term to mean a lowbred or illiterate man. This is unfortunately a common mistake, and is an injury done by such as allow their imagination to deceive them. To men who are in very many respects their superiors,'the class of people who give vent to such expressions as I can smell a mechanic, or that a mechanic is a good fellow to pass away the time with, never take time to look under the surface aud see what fountains of knowledge are, in the possession of the mechanic. They see him as he leaves the shop, weary with labor, his face all begrimed, clothes tattered and rough and a horny hand, and as is too often the case, man is judged by outside appearance. Our mechanic is too often passed by as one not worthy to be grasped by a cordial shake of the hand, or recognised as an equal. Such acts should have no ill effect; they should not for a moment deter the mechanic from striving to gain that position in life to which he is entitled ; in fact it should nerve him on until he gained the' topmost round in ths ladder of fortune, and he would seeJiow easy and quick the false opinion would give way to the true one. If you doubt it look at our men of mark and national reputation, and ask who and what were they when the*y started in this life of changes; trace them back, and we generally find them as hard working mechanics, whose aggregate of wealth consisted in stout arms and an ambitious will. Many of our associates in tho shop at the present time, who earn their bread by the sweat of their brow, will in a few years stand forth as men to be admired and. respected. Hence we say to pur mechanics, do not underrate yourselves ; you are no' man's inferior, and you are any man's equal, and it requires but little application and industry to make you the superior of many. Among us can be found many who combine all the finer attributes of a man coupled with the skill of mechanism, men who are bound to b'fe respected. What matters it to you if the aristocrat should frown upon you ? Did you ever ask yourself the question what would this country le without the mechanic? A man . might" possess the wealth of a nation, and of what benefit would it be to him if the use of it would procure him no luxuries or pleasuresP .Did you ever reason with] yourself that it is to the mecbanio all are indebted for their beautiful homes, the luxurious furniture, in fact for everything that makes life pleasant or home agreeable? If you have, tben your answer is that the man of wealth, without your aid, would be but & helpless child. So when' you hear yourself spoken of as a mechanic, let it arouse your manly pride; don't blush, but hold up your head, mad know that if you do not possess, wealth you possess the talent, without the \ise of which they who aye* born in. affluence would indeed b> miserable. So let mechanics of aIUSE trades as well as our own devote a}i thci* spare time in improving theiif qlinds,; ib* the benefit to be derived fi&m, &\ifih devotion will be of immense v.alu.e.