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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 60

Part Second

page 5

Part Second.

And, again, monopoly Patents should be few, and ever of shore duration, not exceeding four or five years in time. Certainly grand inventors must be secured a remuneration, even if it should be by subsidy; but the light of the knowledge of their invention must not be confined and secreted nor even cabined, but must be openly exhibited for the benefit of the universal public and as auxiliary to the promotion of universal brotherhood, to which, doubtless, any close monopoly is adverse and opposed. Merely for instance, now, say, the Steam Engine,.—no monopoly patent! No; no! Proscribe no man from, making a locomotive engine. Exhibit! Frankly and openly show! Teach! Instruct! Diffuse far and wide the knowledge of arts and sciences! Show forth! hold out the knowledge of' truth of fact and truth of art; have them free; free as the beautiful the lovely the wonderful light of heaven, which they do resemble. Hold forth knowledge as the sun holds forth light, (the sun is not the light as most imagine), or as the street lamp holds out the gas light (the lamp is not the light, is often dark, and black, and dirty). Do not hide or tax light, as they once did in England. Light is a wondrous entity; per se perfectly distinct; and, as King Solomon says, "Truly the light is sweet." Light is genially enlivening. Knowledge is compared to light. Men of knowledge are called enlightened. "God is light," and furthermore we read, "Jehovah is a God of Knowledge." Light! Light! physical, mental and, spiritual! Geniuses are "gifted," enlightened, not for themselves only, but for mankind. And boasting disallowed; they have nothing but what was given.

An ancient writer prognosticated, Wisdom and knowledge shall be the strength and stability of the times." Knowledge shall be spread abroad, and mankind shall be noted for migratory activity. Travelling helps and advances knowledge. And travellers unwittingly, or otherwise, scatter seeds of knowledge. And Great Exhibitions have incidentally induced travelling and caused congress. We have read that home keeping people have ever homely wits. Perhaps it is so. Well then, Grand Public Exhibitions prompt to travel and promote intercourse. Knowledge must have free course, and must increase; and its vehicle must be untrammelled and well lubricated. Educate! Show! Exhibit! Teach!

We Great Britishers have spent large money on schools and schoool-houses; we must spend more and more on Grand Public Exhibitions.

page 6

Show! Show is the word; alike proper as verb, noun, and adjective; do show; a show; a show cart or Palace And show is the theme.

Now for a small pertinent fact, which, perhaps, may be almost as useful as large philosophy:—Once upon a time a fastidious lady went for sundry articles into a fine drapery establishment; first met the eye of a genteel youth who blandly inquired for her orders and commands; she mentioned different things the particular names of which the novice did not know; the lady, supposing nothing was there she just then wanted, was about to depart the place, when an experienced "assistant" busy further on, descrying the situation of affairs, shouted to the youth, "Show the lady, show the goods, or similar." Well, then, he did show, and, sure enough 'there was every thing required and more, and the lady became a large purchaser. A fact! Show! Do Show!

Apropos: A few years ago, at a Horticultural Show, among many fine, pretty things from the gardens and orchards, all sorts of vegetables were exhibited and prizes duly awarded; one prize was for the finest and best green peas; after first prize for peas was given, it was remarked by a visitor that a neighbour of his had real green peas hanging in luxuriant festoons, sort called Prussian Blue, having the largest and longest pods, and looking the very best ever seen. Connoisseurs had previously remarked same. But gardener was modest and diffident. He did not exhibit. That splendid growth was not shown; the public lost a sight; and the honest, humble man certainly lost a first prize. Prize taker well knew it was so, he had afore seen. Writer himself saw this case—had personal cognisance of these two simple fact instances, now adduced merely in illustration. Extreme bold assurance is hateful and is denounced; excessive modesty is injurious and should be quashed. Balance of power, please. But do show and do not sneak nor slink.

But gamblers and hunters after patents say, Never show your hand! Perhaps they are right for that line; they cunningly wink the eye and know about that, they are notoriously "knowing." But we judge this sort of thing no good to the community. Selfism is not only wrong per se, it is impolitic; in the long run it will not answer: gambling is cooly and calmly judged an evil. In respectable common life cunning concealment of knowledge for private ends is a wrong; open exposition a duty. Certain professionals may take the hint Do good and communicate, with kindness and readiness. Regard your kind! Hold forth the light, as the sun does.