Lecture on the history of linen and of linen manufacture in Newburgh

by Alexander Laing

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1872 ... LECTURE. That we live in an age of amazing discoveries in physical science, the changes on society which meet us at every hand abundantly testify; and it may be safely said that, the discoveries of the nineteenth century have advanced the dominion of man over the material universe to an unprecedented extent. But in the magnitude and extent of these discoveries, we are apt to overlook as great, if not far greater discoveries, in times past. It is, no doubt, a great result to chain the elements and make them work at our behest andwill. But, to use the words of a gifted poetess,--"When we drive out from the clouds of steam, majestical white horses, Are we greater than the first men, who led black ones by the mane?" Ail eminent Statesman has most truly said that "the mist of familiarity obscures to us the miracles of nature with which we are surrounded." It may as truly be said that the constant daily use of the discoveries of ancient times blinds us to their marvellousness and importance. Is there any discovery of modern times equal to the invention of letters, by which a combination of merely black marks can convey to others theinmost workings of the human niind? Through these simple marks seers and poets, separated from us by long past ages, have made us partakers of their lofty aspirations, and have raised us above grovelling thoughts "to nobler loves and nobler cares." Steam, in its utmost range, only moulds and controls matter; letters quicken and exalt the soul. Trace the invention of letters onward, and you will see that we owe to it, more than to any other discovery, the progress of the human race. Without letters, man would be a comparatively isolated creature, and discoveries would be circumscribed and lost. Through them we become "heirs of all the a...

18 pages, Paperback

Published February 9, 2012

About the author

Alexander Kinman Laing (1903 - 1976) was an American writer of non-fiction books.
He served as Educational Service Adviser at Dartmouth College, where he conducted seminars and workshops in creative writing and aided students in individual research projects.
In addition to writing and teaching, he also tried his hand at being a sailor, magazine editor, newspaper reporter, world traveler, and advertising copywriter.
Considered an outstanding authority onn sailing ships and marine history, Laing was the author of many books on men of the sea and their ships for both adults and young readers.
He lived in Norwich, Vermont before his death in 1976.