Chap. VIII.]

THE MECHANICAL TRADES.

365

incidental, but unavoidable, seclusion from fresh air. 3. Thenecessity of employing artificial heat in winter, arising from theinadequate production of animal heat, by reason of want of exer-cise. The sedentary mechanical trades, therefore, partake con-siderably of the adverse moral influences, which have been ascrib-ed to manufacturing establishments. The mechanical occupa-tions, which, by the nature of the materials used or worked upon,subject the laborer to a specifically poisonous influence, as in thecase of gilders, painters, &c., are, of all, the most injurious intheir moral as well as in their intellectual and social tendency.

To dwell more minutely on the moral tendency of the variousmechanical trades, does not consist with my plan of confiningmyself to the elements of moral philosophy. It will be more use-ful to close this part of my labors by making several observa-tions of a general character, and pertaining more or less to all theprofessions and employments in life.

1. Those professions and employments are to be preferred forchildren, which are most favorable to health, morals, intellectualand social improvement, personal religion, good habits, &c. Thisdoes not seem to need illustration.

2. The great advantage of wealth is, not that the wealthy manmay rightfully live without any business, or any useful business ,but that his wealth puts it in his power to select his employment.No man is justified in spending his life in doing nothing, or noth-ing useful. Every man is bound to make himself useful in hisday and generation. But some employments are vastly morehealthful, honorable, and otherwise agreeable, than others; and,among them all, the wealthy man may rightfully take his choice.

3. No good man can, in the way of his profession or employ-ment, permit himself to be made accessory to the perpetration ofcrime, guilt, or any palpable wrong whatever. This has alreadybeen illustrated, in a certain measure.* On this subject, it may beadmitted, that a very definite rule cannot well be prescribed ; but

See above, pp. 224,225 ; 313, 314.