It may also happen that at the time of the discovery of such
principles, the mechanical arts may be too imperfect to render
their application likely to be attended with success. Such was
the case with the principle of the hydrostatic paradox; and it
was not, I believe, until the expiration of Mr. Bramah's patent,
that the press which bears his name received that mechanical
perfection in its execution, which has deservedly brought it into
such general use.

On the other hand, for one person who is blessed with the power
of invention, many will always be found who have the capacity of
applying principles; and much of the merit ascribed to these
applications will always depend on the care and labour bestowed
in the practical detail.

If, therefore, it is important to the country that abstract
principles should be applied to practical use, it is clear that
it is also important that encouragement should be held out to the
few who are capable of adding to the number of those truths on
which such applications are founded. Unless there exist peculiar
institutions for the support of such inquirers, or unless the
Government directly interfere, the contriver of a thaumatrope may
derive profit from his ingenuity, whilst he who unravels the laws
of light and vision, on which multitudes of phenomena depend,
shall descend unrewarded to the tomb.

Perhaps it may be urged, that sufficient encouragement is already
afforded to abstract science in our different universities, by
the professorships established at them. It is not however in the