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Chap. Lxxii

CURIOSITIES RESPECTING THE ARTS, &c.

Early Invention of several useful Arts - Automaton-Androides- Extraordinary Pieces of Clockwork-Heidelberg Clock- Strasburg Clock-Clepsydra-Invention of Watches.

What cannot art and industry perform, When science plans the progress of their toil!

They smile at penury, disease, and storm; And oceans from their mighty mounds recoil.

When tyrants scourge, or demagogues embroil A land, or when the rabble's headlong rage Order transforms to anarchy and spoil; Deep vers'd in man, the philosophic sage Prepares with lenient hand their frenzy t' assuage; 'Tis he alone, whose comprehensive mind, From situation, temper, soil, and clime Explor'd, a nation's various pow'rs can bind, And various orders, in one form sublime Of polity, that 'midst the wrecks of time, Secure shall lift its head on bigh, nor fear Th' assault of foreign or domestic crime, While public faith, and public LOVE sincere, And industry and law maintain their sway severe.

Beattie.

EARLY INVENTION OF SEVERAL USEFUL ARTS. - Some useful arts must be nearly coeval with the human race; for food, clothing, and habitation, even in their original simplicity. require some display of ingenuity. Many arts are of