 The Sunbeam and the Spectroscope by Howard Townsend. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Lavoisier has very beautifully said, The fable of Prometheus is but the overshadowing of a philosophic truth. Where there is light, there is organization and life. But where light cannot penetrate, their death forever holds his silent court. If a sunbeam be allowed to enter a darkened room, it falls on the floor and forms a disk of bright light. This is radiated to the eye which conveys the impression to the brain and the phenomenon of vision is established. Should the hand be placed in the track of the sunbeam, the sensation of warmth is communicated and we feel there is heat in the ray. If a piece of paper covered over with chloride of silver, which is purely white, be placed so that the sunbeam falls upon it, a darkened track will be immediately produced over the space the sun's ray has passed. It has liberated the chlorine, leaving the metallic silver. Such remarkable phenomena teaches that we have to deal with agencies in the solar rays which are in their visible effects very dissimilar. Actonism, which means ray power, is now the term adopted to express the chemical principle of the sunbeam. That these three functions of the sunbeam, light, heat and actonism, all differ from one another, maybe thus proven. A piece of black mica will allow no light to pass through it, but offers no obstruction to solar heat. A plate of glass stained apple green with oxide of copper is perfectly transparent to light, but opaque or impermeable to heat. Glass, which has been stained yellow with oxide or chloride of silver, allows a flood of light to pass through it, but permits no permeation of an actinic ray. And, on the contrary, if we use a glass coloreds deeply blue with the oxide of cobalt, though but very little light can pass through it, experiment proves that it offers no obstruction to the chemical rays, that is, it permits the permeation of the actinic ray. This fact of yellow glass interfering with and intercepting the actinism of the sunbeam has lately been taken advantage of in photography. The photographer no longer shuts himself and his prepared plate in a dark dungeon, for now the old dark chamber, camera oscura, is beautifully illumined by the sun's rays, passing through yellow glass, which effectively excludes the actinic, chemical rays which alone the photographer dreads in this part of his process, but which allows all illuminating rays to be transmitted. The strength of evidence appears to be in favor of considering light, heat and actinism as three distinct principles or powers active in regulating the great phenomena of nature. These agents are unceasingly at work. It is impossible to expose anybody, however solid and persistent it may appear, to the influence of sunshine without its undergoing a molecular or chemical change. In darkness all bodies appear to possess the power of restoring themselves to their normal state. Should the sun shine uninterruptedly upon a granite monolith or a bronze statue, it would perish independently of any other destructive influences. Night seems as necessary to secure the permanence of the inorganic world as darkness and sleep are essential to maintain in healthful life the organized creations. At the enormous distance of 95 million miles from us is the sun, a great orb having a diameter of 882,000 miles, forming the center of the solar system. Not only is the Earth and all the other planets changed to the sun by the attractive power of its rays, but their emotions are determined by its motion. And the physical forces which regulate all cosmical phenomena have their source within its body. The sun is termed the fountain of light. It is equally the source of every other power with which science has made us acquainted. Since the time when Newton analyzed the solar beam the advance of our knowledge has been most rapid. We are acquainted with luminous rays which had never been seen by Newton and of actinism or the chemical power of the sun beam he knew nothing. The beautiful phenomena of the polarization of light were unknown to him and he had not the most remote idea of the existence of numerous dark lines crossing even the most brilliant divisions of the Newtonian spectrum and which promised to advance our knowledge by the discovery of many sublime truths. If we place a triangular prism in the path of the sun beam, the rays are bent out of their course or refracted and by this means decomposed into a beautiful flame-like chromatic image. Now, if this solar spectrum be received upon a screen it will be found to consist of several colored bands crimson, red and orange passing into yellow from the least refracted end while from the most refrangeable one we have lavender, violet, indigo blue and green also passing into yellow as the advance to the true center of the spectral image. These rays constitute the Newtonian spectrum thus called because Newton was the first to examine with precision the relative condition of these colored bands and to establish with any approach to correctness the laws regulating the relations of color and refraction. ANO 1675 Beyond the most refrangeable end of this spectrum there exists another class of rays which are not visible under ordinary circumstances. If though the rays of light be intercepted by a solution of sulfate of quinine or of horse chestnut bark or by a crystal of fluorospar these extra spectral rays are rendered apparent. These rays which were unknown to Newton have been investigated by Professor Stokes who has named them the Fluorescent rays. They are luminous probably under all circumstances such as those animals whose eyes are adjusted as are the eyes of most of the night roaming creatures to admit the rays of the highest refrangeability and to vibrate in unison with their vibrations. But unless peculiar conditions be established the Fluorescent rays are not sensible to the human eye. Such then is the amount of our knowledge respecting the luminous principle of the Sunbeam. It must be remembered that these rays vary considerably in the intensity of the illuminating power. The maximum exists in the yellow ray and it diminishes as we recede from it towards either end of the spectrum. The least refrangeable or the red rays give a modified amount of light but the maximum of heat exists in them. The most refrangeable or the blue end of the spectrum is luminous but the maximum of chemical action is fixed at this extremity. The Fluorescent rays beyond the spectrum of Newton being only visible under the peculiar circumstances already mentioned. If now we examine these beautifully colored bands of light when well defined upon a screen with a small telescope a new set of phenomena will become apparent. The spectrum is then seen crossed by a number of black lines. Every ray, even the most brilliant will be found to have spaces in which there is an entire absence of light. It was Dr. Walliston who first observed these non-luminous spaces in the prismatic spectrum. Fraunhofer, however, was the first to make a full investigation of these lines and to publish a map of them and they have hence generally been called Fraunhofer's lines. These lines are of so fixed a character in relation to the colored bands of the spectrum that if it be desired to indicate with great precision any special ray of the spectrum were referred to them by their letters or numbers. The origin of these dark lines spaces in which there is no light can scarcely be said to be yet resolved. Fraunhofer and others following him thought that the light emitted from the photosphere was from the first deficient in these rays or that they were lost either by absorption in passing through the solar atmosphere or possibly in passing through that of the earth. The investigations of Bunsen and Kirchhoff remarkable alike for the delicacy and caution observed in the inquiry and for the refined nature of their deductions lead us probably up to the true explanation of this phenomena. These investigations of Bunsen and Kirchhoff from their exceeding interest have lately been attracting great attention. Angstrom discovered many bright lines in the spectra from artificial light. He and others have proved that spectra obtained from the light emitted from incandescent mineral bodies differ from that obtained from the sun and that lines from artificial sources of light are in many cases peculiar and that in the majority of instances bright lines appear to take their place. So rigidly exact were the positions and characters of the lines obtained from differently coloured flames that spectral or prismatic analysis has been adopted as a means of determining the presence of exceedingly minute quantities of any substance. These lines dark and bright have not only been employed in the analysis of the solid mass of the sun but also in ordinary analysis and the extreme delicacy of the indications is proved from the discovery by Bunsen of two new metallic bodies one called Cosium meaning blueish grey and the other Rubidium from the Latin Rubidus used to express the darkest red colour in infinitesimally small quantities in some mineral waters of Germany. Bunsen discovered these two new alkaline metals in the mineral waters of Durkheim in the Palatinate. In examining the spectra of the alkalis contained in these waters he observed some bright lines which he had never seen in any other alkalis which he had investigated. He was sure that no other metals but those of the alkalis could be present because by well-known chemical processes he had separated every other kind of metal. Hence he concluded that these new lines indicated the presence of an alkaline metal whose existence has as yet been overlooked. So certain was Bunsen of his method and so confident was he that his bright lines could not fail him that although the weight of the substance he had obtained his result only amounted to the one thousandth part of a grain he hesitated not a moment but began to evaporate 40 tons of the water in order to get enough material to separate out his new metal and examine all its chemical relations. No sooner had he obtained more than a mere trace of the new substance than he found that with it was associated a second new metal. He got from the 40 tons in question 105 grains of the chloride of one metal and 135 grains of the chloride of the other in such minute quantities do these substances occur. Still owing to the skill in industry of Bunsen the great chemist of Heidelberg we now possess a chemical history of these two new alkalis as complete and well authenticated as that of the commoner alkalis. Their names, which Bunsen has wildly chosen indicate the nature of their origin and point out the property by means of which they were discovered. Cosume, bluish-gray, thus gold because its spectrum is distinguished by two splendid violet hues. Rubidium owing to the presence of two bright red rays at the least refrangeable extremity of its spectrum. Since the publication of the discovery of these metals their assaults have been found to be pretty commonly diffused but owing to their close resemblance to the compounds of potassium they were not recognized as separate substances. In fact, had it not been for this new method we should not have been able to distinguish them from the well-known alkali potash. Cosume and rubidium occur in the water of almost every salt spring and they have likewise been found in the ashes of plants especially in those of beetroot so that they must be contained in the soil but in all these cases the quantity in which they are found is very minute. The mineral Lepidolite contains a certain quantity of rubidium which now may be obtained by the pound but Cosume is still extremely rare. In a similar manner the existence of another new metal has been pointed out by Mr. Crooks which is characterized by a spectrum containing one bright green band and has been called Thallium Thalos green chute. This has lately been prepared in somewhat larger quantities by Mr. Laimi from the residue of the Belgian sulfuric acid chambers. He finds that in specific gravity in outward properties it closely resembles lead but that it possesses very peculiar chemical characteristics. To render the foregoing phenomena and the hypothesis involved intelligible to those who may not have studied the subject it will be necessary to enter a little into detail. The image produced by decomposing a white sun beam consists of certain brilliantly colored rays but those rays are crossed by spaces giving no light, dark lines which dark lines are always found in the same places in the solar spectrum. The spectra obtained from some artificial sources of light exhibit the colored rays shading one into the other. While those produced by some others consist of a series of luminous bands separated by dark spaces and these luminous bands are frequently found to coincide with the dark lines of the solar spectrum. Kirchhoff and Bunsen say in arguing upon these lines and the hypothesis of the representing the solar dark lines it was proved from theoretical considerations that the spectrum of an incandescent gas becomes reversed that is that the bright ones become changed into dark ones. When a source of light of sufficient intensity giving a continuous spectrum is placed behind the luminous gas. From this we may conclude that the solar spectrum with its dark lines is nothing else than the reverse of the spectrum which the sun's atmosphere would alone produce. Hence, in order to affect the chemical analysis of the solar atmosphere all that we require is to discover those substances which when brought into the flame produce bright lines coinciding with the dark ones of the solar spectrum. The next step in the process of the investigation instructs us in the fact that the vapors producing those colored flames are opaque to their own rays. That is to say, if we produce a yellow soda flame and from it obtain a spectrum showing the peculiar soda lines in their bright yellow color and then impregnate the air with some sort of vapor by volatilizing soda between the flame and the spectrum the bright yellow line becomes at once a black line. This holds true for all the substances which have yet been examined. The colored bright lines are converted into dark lines. If the rays from the colored flames are made to permeate vapors of the same constitution as those which produced the particular spectrum under examination. Professor Kirchhoff, wishing to test the accuracy of the frequently asserted coincidence of the bright metallic and dark solar lines made the following very remarkable experiment which is interesting as giving the key to the solution of the problem regarding the existence of sodium and other metals in the sun. I obtained a tolerably bright solar spectrum and brought a flame colored by sodium vapor in front of the slit. I then saw the dark lines D change into bright ones. The flame of a Bunzen's lamp threw the bright sodium lines upon the solar spectrum with unexpected brilliancy. In order to find out the extent to which the intensity of the solar spectrum could be increased without impairing the distinctness of the sodium lines I allowed the full sunlight to shine through the sodium flame and to my astonishment I saw that the dark lines D appeared with an extraordinary degree of clearness. I then exchanged the sunlight for the drummers or oxy-hydrogen limelight which, like that of all incandescent solid or liquid bodies gives the spectrum containing no dark lines. When this light was allowed to fall through a suitable flame colored by common salt dark lines were seen in the spectrum in the position of the sodium lines. The same phenomenon was observed if, instead of the incandescent line a platinum wire was used which, being heated in a flame was brought to a temperature near its melting point by passing an electric current through it. The phenomenon in question is easily explained upon the supposition that the sodium flame absorbs rays of the same degree of refringibility as those it emits whilst it is perfectly transparent for all other rays. This opacity of heated sodium vapor for the particular kind of light which it is capable of giving off was strikingly exhibited by Professor Roscoe in one of a course of lectures and spectrum analysis lately delivered by him in London at the Royal Institution. This tube containing a small quantity of metallic sodium was rendered vacuous and then closed. On heating the tube the sodium rose in vapor filling a portion of the empty space. Viewed by ordinary white light this sodium vapor appeared perfectly colorless but when seen by the yellow light of a soda flame the vapor cast a deep shadow on a white screen showing that it did not allow incandescent gases and vapors give off light of certain definite degrees of refringibility or they furnish spectra consisting of certain fixed lines and these incandescent gases or vapors absorb light of the same degree of refringibility as that which they emit. This, after all, is only the expression in relation to light of the celebrated statement made in regard to sound that a body absorbs all the oscillations which it can propagate. Sound is produced by the vibration of the particles of gravitating matter whilst light is supposed to be produced by a similar vibration of the particles of a non-gravitating matter called the luminiferous ether. We are all acquainted with a principle of resonance. If we sound a given note in the neighborhood of a piano forte the string capable of giving out the vibrations producing that note the vibrations of the voice and we hear it answering the sound. The intensive vibrations proceeding in one direction are absorbed by the string and emitted as waves of slighter intensity in every direction. All the bright lines of the spectra produced by the vapors of known metals which have yet been examined appear to be represented by the dark lines of the solar spectrum. That is to say dark lines always existing in the solar spectral image correspond with every line produced by a spectrum obtained by burning iron. And just so with regard to the other metals which have been examined. The conclusion therefore is that the radiations from the center of our system, the sun producing the phenomena of light heat and actinism are due to the combustion of metallic bodies such as we find on this earth. The mass of the sun is according to this hypothesis regarded as being intensely incandescent. Matter in all respects similar to that with which we are acquainted is undergoing combustion and of course surrounding the sun with a vaporiform atmosphere consisting of the emanations from the ignited nucleus. But for this atmosphere or photosphere a better term the solar spectrum would give a series of brilliantly colored bright bands. It has been stated that vapors are opaque to their own class of rays. Therefore, since the rays produced by burning iron or magnesium or lithium or other metals are not transmitted through the vapors produced by the combustion of those metals the solar spectrum gives an extensive series of dark bands. That every black line in the solar spectrum represents rays emitted from some metallic body and the state of combustion in the sun is exceedingly doubtful. It has been already shown that many of the dark lines are due to the want of absolute transparency of our own atmosphere. But Kirchhoff's view of the coincidence of the black lines of the solar spectrum with the bright lines of terrestrial flames is a fair deduction from his experimental observations. Whilst these inquiries of Kirchhoff, Bunsen and others and investigations elsewhere have brought corroborative evidence the party of astronomers who went to Spain in 1860 to note with all accuracy the phenomena of the solar eclipse of that year brought back evidence of tongues of flame or clouds glowing with the reflected lights of an intense combustion coming strongly into view when the bright light of the sun was obscured by the moon's body. Professor Eyrie states it that the sun is boiling up and that the prominences observed were fumes given off. The sun's disk is covered by masses of curiously shaped and ever-moving forms called by their discoverer Mr. Hasting the willow leaves. The inference is that these are tongues of flame ever bursting from this incomprehensible mass and dispersing light and its attendant forces to all the planets. By the aid of optical science of chemical experiments and astronomical observations we are advanced to the following deductions. That the sun is constituted of matter similar to that which we find in this world that this matter is ever burning but as Newton supposed returning in a changed form into itself by the force of attraction in the mass. That the physical forces followed by those vast chemical changes are radiated in waves through space. Of stellar chemistry we have at present but little knowledge. Fraunhofer observed that the spectra of the fixed stars contained dark lines differing from those seen in the solar spectrum. A half century has elapsed since Fraunhofer made these observations and our knowledge on this point is no further advanced but we have become assured of the truth of his statements. In the spectrum of Sirius he observed no dark lines in the orange colored region but in the green there was a distinct line and in the blue two dark bands none of which were seen in solar light. The spectra of other stars were likewise examined by Fraunhofer and they appeared each to differ from the other. The difficulties attending the observation and measurement as regards dark lines in the spectra of the stars are very great but doubtless with a vastly improved optical instrument of the present day astronomers will overcome these difficulties. The astronomer royal of England in his last annual report announces that he is about to undertake the examination of the spectra of the fixed stars and perhaps are long. Why Mars looks so red and some of the other stars so blue? How wonderful is it that man by the power of mind is enabled to extend his investigations from the earth directly to the sun and that he can determine the chemical composition of a body millions of miles distant from him is most surprising and proves the divine origin of his intelligence and even more than this has he accomplished philosophy improving the completeness of the balance of forces throughout the universe. Vast chemical changes are taking place in the sun and for every grain of matter altering its form there an equivalent of physical forces is given out in a radiant state. These rays pass through space and reach our earth where they are employed in producing exact equivalents of vital and other phenomena. This terrestrial organism is the result of chemical changes taking place in the sun which Stupendzorb is the great laboratory where those powers are generated by whose agencies all the planets of the system are regulated. In obedience to the fear of the great creator who causes the day spring to know his place those mysterious agencies whose source man is now becoming acquainted with taking out in profuse abundance from the sun causing crude inert matter to pulsate into life and beauty upon every rolling orb within the solar realm. End of The Sun Beam and the Spectroscope by Howard Townsend This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org From the Sphere and Duties of Government Chapter 16 Practical Application of the Theory Proposed Every development of truths which relate to human nature and more especially its active manifestations is attended with a wish to see worked out in practice what theory has shown us to be just and good. To men whose mind is seldom satisfied with the calmly beneficial influence of abstract ideas this desire is perfectly natural and it increases in liveliness with the spirit of benevolent sympathy in social happiness and well-being. But however natural in itself and however noble in its origin, this desire has not unfrequently led to hurtful consequences nay, often to greater evils than the colder indifference or as from the very opposite cause the same effect may follow, the glowing enthusiasm which comparatively heedless of reality delights only in the pure beauty of ideas. For no sooner has anything that is true struck deep root in human nature, even though it should be but in the heart of one man then slowly and noiselessly it spreads its blessed influence over the surface of actual life. While on the contrary that which is at once transferred into living action becomes not unfrequently changed and modified in its form and does not even react at all on the ideas. Hence it is that there are some ideas which the wise would never attempt to realize in practice. Nay, reality is in no age sufficiently right for the reception of the most matured and beautiful thoughts and before the soul of the artist, whatever his art may be, the fair image of the ideal must still hover like a model that is inapproachable. Such considerations therefore serve to point out the necessity of more than common prudence in the application of even the most consistent and generally accepted theory and they urge it the more on me to examine before concluding my task as fully and at the same time as briefly as possible how far the principles herein developed transferred into actual practice. This examination will at the same time serve to defend me from the charge of having thought to prescribe immediate rules to actual life in what I have said, or even to disapprove of all which contradicts the results of my reasoning in the real state of things, a presumption I should be loath to entertain even although I had sure grounds for supposing the system I have unfolded to be perfectly just and unquestionable. In every remodeling of the present the existing condition of things must be supplanted by a new one. Now every variety of circumstances in which men find themselves every object which surrounds them communicates a definite form and impressed to their internal nature. This form is not such that it can change and adapt itself to any other a man may choose to receive, and the end is foiled while the power is destroyed when we attempt to impose upon that which is already stamped in the soul, a form which disagrees with it. If we glance at the most important revolutions in history we are at no loss to perceive that the greatest number of these originated in the theoretical revolutions of the human mind. And we are still more strikingly convinced of this, when on watching the influences that have most operated to change the world we observe that those which accompany the exercise of human power have been the mightiest to alter and modify the existing order of things. For the influence of physical nature so calm and measured in their progression and so uniformly revolving in their ever returning cycles are less important in this respect. As are also the influences of the brute creation when we consider these apart and of themselves. Human power can only manifest itself in any one period in one way, but it can infinitely modify this manifestation at any given epoch. Therefore it betrays a single and one-sided aspect, but in a series of different periods these combine to give the image of a wonderful multi-formity. Every preceding condition of things is either the complete and sufficient cause of that which succeeds it, or at least exercises such modifying influences that the external pressure of circumstances can produce no other. The prior condition then and the modifications it receives act also to determine in what way the new order of circumstances shall exercise and influence on human nature. And the force of this determination is so great that these very circumstances are often wholly altered by it. Hence it comes that we might be justified in regarding everything which is done on Earth as both good and beneficial since it is man's internal power which masters and subdues everything to itself of whatever nature it may be and because this internal power in any of its manifestations can never act otherwise than beneficially since each of these operates in different measures to strengthen and develop it. In view of this consideration we understand how the whole history of the human race could perhaps be represented merely as a natural result of the revolutions of human power. And while the study of history in this light would be perhaps more pregnant than any other in interest and instruction it would at the same time point out to him who designs to act upon his fellow men the way in which he should attempt to sway and guide human forces successfully in the direction in which he must never expect them to go. While therefore this human power deserves our special regard commanding our respect and admiration as it does by its precious and intrinsic worth it has double claims on our consideration when we recognize the mighty influence with which it subjects all other things to its sway. Whoever then would attempt the difficult task of interweaving artificially a new condition of things with that which is already existing should never lose sight of this all-important agency. He must wait, therefore, in the first place for the full working out of the present in men's minds. Should he rashly attempt to cut through the difficulty he might succeed, perhaps in creating anew the external aspect of things but never the interdisposition of human nature which would surely re-manifest itself in everything new that had been forcibly imposed on it. It must not be supposed that in proportion as full scope is allowed to the influence of the present men become more averse to any subsequent change. In human history it is extremes which lie closely together and the condition of external things if we leave it to continue its course undisturbed by any counteracting agency so far from strengthening and perpetuating itself inevitably works out its ruin. This is not only proved by the experience of all ages but is in strict accordance with human nature for the active man never remains longer an object than his energy finds in it sufficient scope and material for exercise and hence he abandons it most quickly when he has been most uninterruptedly engaged on it. And as for the passive man although it is true that a continuing pressure serves to blunt and infeble his powers it causes him to feel on the other hand the stringent influence more keenly. Now without directly altering the existing condition of things it is possible to work upon the human mind and character and give them a direction no more correspondent with that condition and this it is precisely which he who is wise will endeavor to do. Only in this way is it possible to reproduce the new system in reality just as it has been conceived in idea and in every other method setting aside the evils which arise from disturbing the natural order of human development it is changed, modified disfigured by the remaining influence of preceding systems in the actual state of circumstances as well as in the minds of men. But if this obstacle be removed if the new condition of things which is resolved upon can succeed in working out its full influence unimpeded by what was previously existing and by the circumstances of the present on which this has acted then must nothing further be allowed to stand in the way of the contemplated reform. The most general principles of the theory of all reform may therefore be reduced to these. One. We would never attempt to transfer purely theoretical principles into reality before this latter in its whole scope and tendency offers no further obstacles to the manifestation of those consequences to which without any intermixture of other influences the principles arrived at would lead. Two. In order to bring about the transition from the condition of the present newly resolved on every reform should be allowed to proceed as much as possible from men's minds and thoughts. In my exposition of abstract theoretical principles in this essay I have always proceeded strictly from considerations of human nature. I have not presupposed in this moreover any but the usual measure of power and capability. Yet still I imagine man to exist in that state alone which is necessary and peculiar to his nature and unfashioned by any determinate relation whatever. But we never find man thus. The circumstances amidst which he lives have in all cases already given him some or other determinate form. Whenever a state therefore contemplates extending or restricting its fear of action it must pay a special regard to this varying form which human nature assumes. Now the misrelation between theory and reality as regards this point of political administration will in all cases consist as may easily be foreseen in an insufficient degree of freedom. And hence it might appear that the removal of existing bonds would be at all times possible and at all times beneficial. But however true in itself such a supposition may be it should not be forgotten that the very thing which cripples men's power on the one side furnishes it on the other with the food and material of its activity. I have already observed in the beginning of this essay that man is more disposed to domination than freedom and the structure of dominion not only gladdens the eye of the master who rears and protects it but even the meanest under-workers are uplifted by the thought that they are members of a majestic whole which rises high above the life and strength of single generations. Wherever then there is still such a commanding spectacle to sway men's admiration and we attempt to constrain men to act in and for himself only in the narrow circle of his own individual power only for the brief space during which he lives all living energy must slowly pine away and lethargy and inaction ensue. It is true that this is the only way in which men can act on the most illimitable space and on the most imperishable duration but at the same time he does not thus act immediately. He rather scatters vital and self-terminating seeds than erects structures which reveal at once the traces of his hand and it requires a higher degree of culture to rejoice in an activity which only creates powers and leaves them to work out their own results rather than in that which at once realizes and establishes them before our eyes. This degree of culture it is which shows the ripe moment for freedom but the capacity for freedom which arises from such a degree of culture is nowhere to be found perfect and matured and this perfection I believe is ever destined to remain beyond the reach of man's sensuous nature which is always disposing him to cling to external objects. What then would be the task of the statesman who should undertake such a reform? First then in every new step which is out of the course of things as they exist he must be guided strictly by the precepts of abstract theory except where there are circumstances in the present on which to try to graft it would be to frustrate fully or in part the proper consequences of that theory. Secondly he must allow all restrictions on freedom to remain untouched which are once rooted in the present so long as men do not show by unmistakable signs that they regard them as enthralling bonds that they feel their oppressive influence that they are ripe for an increase of freedom in these respects but when this is shown he must immediately remove them. Finally he must make men thus ripe for enlarged freedom by every possible means. This last duty is unquestionably the most important and at the same time as regards this system the simplest. For by nothing is this ripeness and capacity for freedom so much promoted by freedom itself. This truth perhaps may not be acknowledged by those who have so often made use of this want of capacity as a plea for the continuance of repressive influences but it seems to me to follow unquestionably from the very nature of man. The incapacity for freedom can only arise from a want of moral and intellectual power to elevate this power in any way to counteract this want but to do this presupposes the exercise of that power and this exercise presupposes the freedom which awakens spontaneous activity. Only it is clear we cannot call it giving freedom when fetters are unloosed which are not felt as such by him who wears them but of no man on earth however neglected by nature and however degraded by circumstances is this true of all the bonds which oppress and enthrall him. Let us undo them one by one as the feeling of freedom awakens in men's hearts and we shall hasten progress at every step. There may still be great difficulties in being able to recognize the symptoms of this awakening but these do not lie in the theory so much as in its execution which it is evident never admits of special rules but in this case as in every other is the work of genius alone. Theoretically I should thus endeavor to solve this confessedly intricate problem. The legislator should keep two things constantly before his eyes. One the pure theory developed through its minutest details. Two the particular condition of actual things which he designs to reform. He must command a view of the theory not only in all its parts and in its most careful and complete development but must further never lose sight of the necessary consequences of each of its several principles in their full extent in their manifold interconnection and where they cannot all be realized at once in their mutual dependency on each other. It is no less his duty although it is doubtless infinitely difficult to acquaint himself with the actual condition of things with the nature of all restrictive bonds which the state imposes on the citizens and which these under shelter of the political power impose on each other contrary to the abstract principles of the theory and with all the consequences of these restrictions. He should now compare these two pictures with each other and the time to transfer a theoretical principle into reality would be thus recognized when it has been shown by the comparison that after being transferred the principle would be unaltered and would produce the results represented in the first picture. Or when if this coincidence should not be perfect it might yet be anticipated that this difference and shortcoming would be removed after reality had more closely approximated to theory. For this last mentioned goal this continual approximation should never cease to attract the regard of the legislator. There may seem to be something strange in the idea of these imaginative representations and it might be supposed impossible to preserve the truthfulness of such pictures and still more to institute an exact comparison between them. These objections are not without foundation but they lose much of their force when we remember that theory still yearns for freedom only while reality insofar as it differs from theory is only characterized by coercion that we do not exchange coercion for freedom only because it is impossible and that the reason for this impossibility can only be found in one of these two considerations. Either that man or the condition in which things are is not yet adapted to receive the freedom which in either case frustrates the natural results without which we cannot conceive of existence not to say freedom or that the latter a consequence which follows only from the first supposition or the actual incapacity of man does not produce those salutary effects with which otherwise it is always attended. Now we cannot judge as regards either of these cases without carefully picturing the present to our minds and the contemplated change in its full extent and instituting an exact comparison between their respective forms and issues. The difficulty still further decreases when we reflect that the state itself is never in a position to introduce any important change until it observes in the citizens themselves those indications which show it to be necessary to remove their fetters before these become heavy oppressive. So that the state only occupies the place of a spectator and the removal of restrictions on freedom implying nothing more than a calculation of possibility is only to be guided by the dictates of sheer necessity. Lastly it is scarcely needed to observe that we are alluding here to cases in which a change proceeding from the state is not only physically morally possible and which contain therefore no contradiction to principles of right. Only it is not to be forgotten with regard to this last condition that natural and general right is the sole true basis of all positive law, that therefore we should always revert to that natural foundation and hence that to induce a point of law which is, therefore, the source of all the others no one can at any time or in any way obtain any right with regard to the powers or means of another against or without his will. Under this supposition I would venture to lay down the following principle with regard to the limits of its activity the state should endeavor to bring the actual condition of things to the true and just principles of theory as this is possible and is not opposed by reasons of real necessity. Now the possibility consists in this that men are sufficiently right to receive the freedom which theory always approves and that this freedom can succeed in producing those salutary consequences which always accompany its unhindered operation. The other consideration or that of opposing necessity reduces itself to this. That freedom, if once granted, is not calculated to frustrate those results without which not only all further progress but even existence itself is endangered. In both of these cases the statesman's judgment must be formed from a careful comparison between the present condition of things and the contemplated change and between their respective consequences. This principle proceeds absolutely from the application in this particular case of the principle we before laid down with regard to all methods of reform. For as well when there is an incapacity for greater freedom as when the essential results have referred to would suffer from the increase, the real condition of things prevents the abstract principles of theory from manifesting themselves in those consequences which without the intermixture of any foreign influence they would invariably produce. I shall not add anything further as to the development of the principle I propose. I might perhaps go on to classify the possible positions which reality may assume and illustrate the manner of its application to those, but in attempting this I should only contradict my own principles, for I have observed that every such application requires a commanding view of the whole and all its parts in their closest interconnection and such a whole can never be exhibited by any mere process of hypothesis. If we add to this rule which we have laid down for the practical guidance of the state, those laws which are imposed on it by the theory we previously developed, we shall conclude that its activity should always be left to be determined by necessity. For the theory we have advanced allows to it only the solicitude for security since security alone is unattainable by the individual man, and hence this solicitude alone is necessary. And the practical rule we have proposed for the state's direction serves to bind it strictly to the observance of the theory, and so far as the condition of the present does not necessitate a departure from the course it prescribes. Thus then it is the principle of necessity towards which as to their ultimate center all the ideas advanced in this essay immediately converge. In abstract theory the limits of this necessity are determined solely by considerations of man's proper nature as a human being. But in the application we have to regard in addition the individuality of man as he actually exists. This principle of necessity should, I think prescribe the grand fundamental rule to which every effort to act on human beings and their manifold relations should be invariably conformed, for it is the only thing which conducts to certain and unquestionable results. The consideration of the useful which might be opposed to it does not admit of any true and unswerving decision. It presupposes calculations of probability, which even setting aside the fact that from their very nature they cannot be free from air always run the risk of being falsified by the minutest unforeseen circumstances. While on the other hand that which is necessary urges the soul with an influence that is resistless and whatever necessity demands is not only useful but absolutely indispensable. The useful, moreover, since its degrees are as it were infinite presupposes a constant succession of new arrangements and expedience, while the limitations on the contrary which necessity enjoins tend to lessen its very demands since they leave ample scope to the original power. Lastly the solicitude for the useful encourages for the most part the adoption of positive arrangements. That for the necessary chiefly requires negative measures since owing to the vigorous and elastic strength of man's original power necessity does not often require anything save the removal of oppressive bonds. From all these reasons to which a more detailed analysis of the subject might add many more mean that there is no other principle than this so perfectly accordant with the reverence we owe to the individuality of spontaneous beings and with the solicitude for freedom which that reverence inspires. Finally the only infallible means of securing power and authority to laws is to see that they originate in this principle alone. Many plans have been proposed to secure this great object. To most it has appeared the surest method to persuade the citizens that the laws are both good and useful. But even although we admit that they possess these qualities in given cases, it is always difficult to convince men of the usefulness of an arrangement. Different points of view give different opinions and men are often prone to oppose convictions however ready to embrace the utility of anything they have themselves recognized to resist ought that is attempted to be thrust upon them. But to the yoke of necessity everyone willingly bows the head. Still wherever an actual complicated aspect of things presents itself it is more difficult to discover exactly what is necessary. But by the very acknowledgement of the principle the problem invariably becomes simpler and the solution easier. I have now gone over the ground I marked out at the beginning of this essay. I have felt myself animated throughout with a sense of the deepest respect for the inherent dignity of human nature and for freedom which is alone becoming that dignity. May the ideas I have advanced and the expressions I have lent to them be not unworthy such a feeling. End of Theory and Practice in Government Reform by Wilhelm von Humboldt 1767 to 1835 CHAPTERS 5-7 of Thomas Andrews Shipbuilder by Sean F. Bullock This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org read by Chad Horner from Ballycler in County Antrim Northern Ireland situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Chapter 5 We come back then to Andrews as Mr Childers saw him on that day in the yard big, strong, inspiring full of enthusiasm and mastery a genuine captain of industry there on the scene of his triumphs yet revealing himself as modestly we know as any of the great army of workers under his direction before attempting to give some further and completed account of the relations which existed between him and the islanders it may be well to give a letter written by Andrews in 1905 to a young relative then beginning work as an engineer I am sorry I did not get a shake of your fist old chap before leaving just to wish you good luck at your business and a good time at please accept from me the enclosed small gift to go towards a little pocket money you are such a sensible boy I know that you require no advice from me but as an old hand who has come through the mill myself I would just like to say how important it is for you to endeavour to give your employers full confidence in you from the start to the end one by punctuality and close attention to your work at all times but don't allow your health to suffer through overwork two always carry out instructions given by those above you whether you agree with them or not and try to get instructions in writing if you are not sure of your man three always treat those above you with respect no matter whether they are fulls or no less than yourself never give information unless you are perfectly sure better to say you are not sure but will look the matter up five never be anxious to show how quick you are by being the first out of the shop when the horn blows it is better on these occasions to be a bit slow now this is a sermon by Thomas but not one of your fathers only that of an old cousin who has high expectations of you and is interested in your welfare goodbye and good luck that little sermon by Thomas with its admixture of shrewdness wisdom and kind-heartedness may be taken as embodying the work a day rules of duty perfected by Andrews through a varied experience of 16 years rules doubtless as faithfully observed by himself as they were commended for the guidance of others what may be called its horse sense its blunt avial of how to play the game helps us towards a fuller understanding of the man puts him in the plain light through which every day in view of everyone he passed it shows us why he succeeded why in any circumstances and irrespective almost of his higher qualities he was bound to succeed it explains to some extent what a work man meant in calling him a born leader of men it helps us to understand why some called him a hard man and why he made a few enemies helps us also to understand why the islander who threatened to drop a bag of rivets on his head was threatened to laugh amenity what Andrews demanded of others he exacted in greater measure of himself if at times he enforced his code of conduct with sternness in that as all he felt the weight of his hand would eventually acknowledge he was but doing his plain duty did men skulk or scamp their job they must be shown decisively that a shipyard was no place for them someone discovered a sleep on a nine inch plank spanning an open ventilator must be taught discretion but no bullying no unfairness above all no show of malice if in Andrews nature and righteousness neither did their lurk in it any meanness not once but a thousand times during the past black months has his character been summed with characteristic terceness by the island shipwrights just as a judge straight as a die there wasn't a crooked turn in him simple phrases conveying a magnificent tribute for what better in anyone can you have to die whether you regard him as a man or master and such straightness in the shipbuilder is not the supreme quality at all events this quality of absolute rectitude so indispensable in other respects was the main quality which in their personal relations with him won for Andrews the admiration and esteem of the islanders and they could trust him he would see fair play if he caught you doing wrong he wasn't afraid to tell you so being a real he wouldn't fire you straight away but would give you the rough side of his tongue and a friendly caution so long as one reported a mistake honestly he had consideration but try to hide it away and he blazed at you he had a grand die for good work and a good man and the man who did good work no matter who he was got a clap on the shoulder so the islanders this man and that and then once more there was no judgement on the tongue of so many he was straight as a die but not that one quality alone gained for Andrews his great one might say his unique popularity in the yard his vast knowledge his mastery of detail his as a duty his zest all these merits had their due effect upon the men and effective too was the desire he showed always to get the best possible out of every worker it was not enough to do your job he expected you to think about it and if from your thinking resulted a suggestion it got his best consideration it might be worthless never mind better luck next time if it were worth a cent he would make it shine in your eyes like a dollar in addition where those more personal qualities emanations so to speak of the man's character his generosity kindness, patience geniality, humour humility, courage, that great laugh of his the whining smile the fine breezy presence of those also the men had constant and intimate experience anyone in trouble might be sure of his sympathy after a spell of sickness his handshake and hearty greeting stirred new life in your blood once he found a great fellow ill treating a small foreman who for sufficient reason had docked on the beaches whereupon andrews took off his coat and hammered the bully during labour and party troubles he several times at risk of his life saved men from the mob one day in a gale he climbed an 80 foot staging rescued the terrified man who had gone up to secure those loose boards and himself did the work another day he lent a hand to a shipwright toiling and as they went andrews asked how is it, Michael Wayne you always like to be besides me ah sir was the reply it is because you carry up well these incidents chosen from so many enable us to see why in the words of the island poet though andrews was our master we loved him to a man he always carried up well stood four square to all the winds that blow too often those in authority roll as tyrants using power like some jug or not crushing under the beasts of burden but andrews, following the example of his uncle preferred to roll beneficently as a man among his fellows one evening writes mrs andrews my husband and I were in the vicinity of queens island and noticing a long file of men going home from work he turned to me and said there go my pals, Nelly I can never forget the tone in his voice I can never forget that it was as though the men were as dear to him as his own brothers afterwards on a similar occasion I reminded him of the words and he said yes and they are real pals too you see now why a colleague Mr Saxon Payne secretary to Lord Perry could write it was not a case of liking him we all loved him and why during those awful days in April when hope of good news at last had gone the yard was shrouded in gloom and rough men, tried like women they had lost a pal and not they only on both sides of the Atlantic wherever men resort whose business is in the great waters owners, commanders, directors, managers, architects engineers, ship officers stewards, sailors the name Tom Andries is honoured today as that of one whose remarkable combination of gifts claimed not only their admiration but their affection what we are to do without Andries said a Belfast ship owner I don't know he was probably the best man in the world for his job knew everything was ready for anything could manage everyone and what a friend it's irreparable surely of all men worth saving he ought to have been saved yes, saved by force for only in that way done, here too it may be mentioned that during his business career Andries received many acknowledgements of a gratifying description for those him in various ways he had served amongst others from the White Star Company the Hamburg American Company and what I dare say he valued as much from the stewards of the Olympic following the announcement of his marriage a committee was organised at the yard for the purpose of showing him in a sensible way the esteem of the islanders but for business reasons or perhaps feeling a delicacy in accepting a compliment without parallel in the history of the yard he, whilst making it plain how much the kindly thought had moved him felt constrained to ask the committee to desist one may end this imperfect chapter with two more tributes themselves without any great literary merit perhaps yet testifying sincerely one thinks to the love which Andries inspired in everyone long ago per doctor O'Loughlin wrote in collaboration with the pursuer of the oceanic some verses to be sung to the heir Timothy Atkins doubtless they have been sung at ships mess on many a voyage and perhaps have elsewhere been printed one verse is given here Neath a gantry high and mighty she had birth and she'd bulk and length and height and mighty beam and the world was only larger in its girth and she seemed to be a living moving dream then she wrote so grandly or the sea that she seemed a beauty decked in bright array and the whistle sounded loudly and she sailed along so proudly that we all cried out she must be quite okay oh Tommy Tommy Andrews you and to say we have the finest ship that error was built is true may your hand never lose it's coming we don't care how winds may roar for we know we have a frigid that can sail from shore to shore the second tribute is taken from a lament written by the island poet in the ballad form so popular in Ireland and circulate it widely in the yard a queen's island Trojan he worked to the last very proud we all feel of him here in Belfast our working men knew him as one of the best he stuck to his duty and God gave him rest Chapter 6 it remains before giving account of the finest action of his life to consider briefly by way of rounding his portrait what we may call Andrews outside aspect the side that is might turn to some committee of experts sitting in solemn judgment upon him as a possible candidate for political honors that side it may be said at once is singularly unpretentious and indeed when we think of his absorption heart and soul in what he knew for him was best who could expect or wish it to be otherwise in Ulster heaven knows our publicists galore and sufficient men to willing to find tools at any outside horn blue that we should the less admire one who spoke only once in public took no open part in politics and was not even a strong party man he was however a member of the Ulster reform club twice he was pressed to accept the presidency of unionist clubs frequently he was urged to permit his nomination for election to the city council the Belfast harbour board shared the opinion of one of its leading members that his youthful vigor his undoubted ability and his genial personality would have made him an acquisition to this important board his fellow directors in a resolution of condolence expressed their feeling that not only had the firm lost a valued and promising leader but the city an upright and capable citizen who had he lived a still more conspicuous place in the industrial and commercial world even in the south where admiration of northerners is not commonly fervent it was admitted by many that in Andres Ulster had at last found the makings of a leader for such straws blown in so profiling a wind we may determine the estimation in which Andres as a prospective citizen stood amongst those who knew him and their own needs the best also perhaps may roughly calculate the possibilities of that future which he himself in stray minutes of leisure may have anticipated but some there will be doubtless whose admiration of Andres is the finer because he kept the path of his career straight to its course without any deviation to enticing heavens such a man however the son of such a father could not fail to have views on the burning topics of his time and no estimate of him would be complete which gave these no heed he was we are told an imperialist loving peace and consequently in favour of an unchallengeable navy he was a firm unionist being convinced that home role would spell financial reign to Ireland through the partial loss of British credit and of the security derived from connection with the strong and prosperous partner at times he was known to express disapproval of the policy adopted by those Irish unionists who strove to influence British electors by appeals to passion rather than by means of reasoned argument also he felt that Ireland would never be happy and prosperous until agitation ceased and promise of security were offered to the investing capitalist though no believer in modern cities he was of opinion that an effort should be made to expand and stimulate Irish village life it seeming to him that a country dependent solely on agriculture was like a man fighting the battle of life with one hand where however an approved system of agriculture such as that advocated by Sir Horace Plunkett joined with a considerable scheme of town and village industries he believed that immigration would cease and Ireland find prosperity in the practical application of tariff reform he saw many difficulties but thought them not insurmable in view of the needs of the worldwide and growing empire the necessity of preserving British work for British people and the injury done to home trade by the unfair competition of protected countries he judged that the duties upon important necessities should be materially prejudiced and a country balancing tax levied on all articles of foreign manufacture he advocated modern social reform on lines carefully designed to encourage thrift temperance and endeavour and as one prime means towards improving the condition both moral and physical of the workers he would have the state either directly or through local authorities provide them with decent homes to the consideration of labour problems particularly those coming within the scope of his own experience and much thought and when it is considered that his great popularity with all classes held steady through the recent period of industrial unrest we may judge that his attitude towards labour in the mass as in the unit was no mere personal expression of friendliness as his real pals he wanted to help the workers educate and lift them other things being equal he always favoured the men as well as their hands and if in the management of their own affairs they used their heads but also so much the better for all concerned he considered that both in the interests of men and masters it was well for labour to be organised under capable leaders but honest agreements should he thought be binding on both sides and not liable to governmental interference politicians and others should public utterances he felt endeavour to educate the workers in the principles of economics relative to trade wages and the relations between capital and labour but publicists who for party or like reasons strove to foster class hatred and strife he would hang by the heels from a gantry where economically possible the working day should he thought be shortened especially the day of all toiling in arduous and unwholesome conditions similarly he was disposed to favour when economically possible encouragement of the workers by means of a system of profit sharing he would furthermore give them every facility for technical education but such he knew from experience was of little value and supplemented by thorough practical knowledge gained in the workshop these views and opinions whatever their intrinsic value of experts are at least interesting sooner or later had andrews lived he would perhaps have made them the basis of public pronouncements and then indeed might his abounding energy applied in new and learning directions have carried him to heights of citizenship chapter 7 happily there is no need in these pages to attempt any minute estimate of the share andrews had in building the Titanic such a task where it feasible would offer difficulties no less testing than those met courageously by half the world's journalists when attempting to describe the wonders of that ill-fated vessel her length that of a suburban city her height the equivalent of a 17 story building her elevator cars coursing up and down as through a city hotel her millionaire suites her luxuries of squash rocket courts turkish and electric bath establishments saltwater swimming pools glass enclosed some parlours for randa cafes and all probably no one man was solely responsible for the beautiful thing she was an evolution rather than a creation triumphant product of numerous experiments a perfection embodying who knows what and ever from this a little more of human brain and hand and imagination how many ships were built how many lost how many men lived wrought and died that the Titanic might be so much being said it may however be said further that to her building andrews gave as much of himself as did any other man all his experience of ships gained in the yards on voyages by long study was in her all his deep knowledge too gathered during 20 years and now applied in the crowning effort with an order that never flagged it was by the Titanic her vast shape slowly assuming the beauty and symmetry which are but a memory today that Mr. Childers met andrews and noted in him those qualities of zest vigor power and simplicity which impressed him deeply yet andrews then was no wit more enthusiastic we feel sure than on any other day of the great ships fashioning from the time of her conception slowly down through the long process of calculating planning designing building fitting until at last she sailed proudly away to the applause of half the world would ever share others had in her these at least cannot begin said as lord priory's assistant he had done his part by way of shaping into tangible form the projects of her owners as chief designer and naval architect he planned her complete as managing director he saw her grow up frame by frame plate by plate day after day throughout more than two years watched her grow as a father watches his child grow assiduously minutely and with much the same feelings of parental pride and affection for andrews this was his ship whatever his hands in her and in that she was efficiently designed and constructed as is now established his fame as a shipbuilder may well rest as surely none other did he knew her inside and out her every turn in art the power and beauty of her from keel to truck knew her to the last rivet and because he knew the great ship so well as a father knows the child born to him therefore to lose her was heartbreak on Tuesday morning April the 2nd 1912 at 6am the Titanic left Belfast an ideal weather and was towed down channel to complete her trials on board was andrews representing the firm her compasses being adjusted the ship steamed towards the isle of man and after a satisfactory run returned to the lock about 6pm throughout the whole day andrews was busy receiving representatives of the owners inspecting and superintending the work of internal completion and taking notes just a line he wrote to mrs andrews they know that we got away this morning in fine style and have had a very satisfactory trail we are getting more ship shape every hour but there is still a great deal to be done having received letters and transferred workmen the ship left immediately for southampton andrews still on board and with him amongst others the apry of men from the island yard he perished with him they were william henry marsh par manager electrical department roderick chism ships draughtsman anthony w frost outside foreman engineer robert night leading hand engineer william cambell joiner apprentice alford fleming conningham fitter apprentice frank parks plumber apprentice ennis heistings watson electrician apprentice did the third until midnight when the ship arrived at southampton andrews was ceaselessly employed going round with representatives of the owners and of the firm in taking notes and preparing reports of work still to be done all the next day from an early hour he spent with managers and foremen putting work in hand in the evening he wrote to mrs andrews i wired ye this morning of our safe arrival after a very satisfactory trip there was good and everyone most pleasant i think the ship will clean up all right before sailing on wednesday and then he mentions that the doctors refused to allow lord perry to make the maiden voyage thereafter from day to day until the date of sailing he was always busy taking the owners roundship interviewing interniers officials agents managers subcontractors discussing with principals the plans of new ships and super intending generally the work of completion through the various days that the vessel lay at southampton writes his secretary mrs thompson hamilton mr andrews was never for a moment idle he generally left his hotel about 8 30 for the offices where he dealt with his correspondence then went on board until 6 30 when he would return to the offices to sign letters during the day i took to the ship any urgent papers and always dealt with them no matter what his business nothing he allowed to interfere with duty he was conscientious to the minutest detail he would himself put in their place such things as racks tables chairs birth ladders electric fans the saving that except he saw everything right he could not be satisfied one of the last letters he wrote records serious trouble with the restaurant galley hot press and directs attention to a design for reducing the number of screws in state room hothooks another of earlier date in the midst of technicalities about cofferdoms and submerged cylinders on the propeller boss expresses agreement with the owner that the colouring of the pebble dashing on the private prominent dex was too dark and notes a plan for staining green the wicker furniture on one side of the vessel with all his thought for others never failed now he is arranging for a party to view the ship now writing to a colleague I have always in mind a week's holiday due to you from last summer and shall be glad if you will make arrangements to take these on my return as although you may not desire to have them I feel sure that a week's rest will do you good on the evening of Sunday the seventh he wrote to mrs. Andrews giving her news of his movements and dwelling upon the plans he had in mind for the future on the ninth he wrote the Titanic is now about complete and well I think do the old firm credit tomorrow when we sail on the tenth he was aboard at six o'clock and thence until the hour of sailing he spent in a long final inspection of the ship she pleased him the old firm was sure of its credit just before the moorings were cast off he baked goodbye to mr. Hamilton and the other officials he seemed in excellent health and spirits his last words were remember now and keep mrs. Andrews informed of any news of the vessel the Titanic carrying two thousand two hundred and one souls left south Hampton punctually at noon on April 10th there was no departure ceremony on her way from dog she passed the majestic and the Philadelphia both giants of 20 years ago and now by contrast with leviathan humbled to the stature of dwarfs about a mile down water she passed test quay where the oceanic and the New York lay birthed her wash caused the new York to break her moorings and drift into the channel as the Titanic was going dead slow danger of a collision was soon averted but as Andrews wrote that evening the situation was decidedly unpleasant from Cherbourg he wrote again to mrs. Andrews we reached here in nice time on board quite a number of passengers the two little tenders looked well you will remember we built them about a year ago we expect to arrive at Queenstown about 10 30 a.m. tomorrow the weather is fine and everything shaping for a good voyage I have a seat at the doctor's table one more letter was received from him by mrs. Andrews and only one this time from Queenstown and dated April 11th everything on board was going smoothly he said and he expressed his satisfaction at receiving so much kindness from everyone here all direct testimony ceases proudly in eye of the world the Titanic sailed westward from the Irish coast then for a while disappeared only to reappear in a brief scene of woefulist tragedy round which the world stayed mute if as is almost certain a chronicle of the voyage was made by andrews both it and the family letters he wrote now are gone with him but fortunately we have other evidence plentiful and well-attested and on such our story henceforward runs the steered Henry E. Etches who attended him says that during the voyage right to the moment of disaster andrews was constantly busy with his workmen he went about the boat all day long putting things right making note of every suggestion of an imperfection afterwards in his state room which is described as being full of charts he would sit for hours making calculations and drawings for future use others speak of his great popularity with both passengers and crew I was proud of him writes the brave stewardess mrs. May Sloane of Belfast whose testimony is so invaluable he came from home and he made you feel that all was right and then she adds now because of his big gentle kindly nature everyone loved him it was good to hear his laugh and have him near you if anything went wrong it was always to mr. andrews one went even when a fan stuck in a state room one would say wait for mr. andrews he'll soon see to it and you would find him settling even the little quarrels that arose between ourselves nothing came I missed to him nothing at all and he was always the same a nod and a smile or a hardy word whenever he saw you and no matter what he was at two of his table companions Mr. and Mrs. Albert a dick of Calgary Alberta also tell how much they came to love andrews because of his character and how good it was to see his pride in the ship but upon every occasion and especially at dinner and Sunday evening he talked almost constantly about his wife little girl mother and family as well as of his home this preoccupation with home and all there was noticed to you by miss loan sometimes between laughs he would suddenly fall grave in glance you might say back over a shoulder towards Donalyn and Mardara off near Stamford lock was talking to him on the Friday night as he was going into dinner writes miss loan in a letter dated from the Lapland on April 27th the dear old doctor was waiting for him on the stair landing and calling him by his Christian name Tommy Mr. Andries seemed lost to go and wanted to talk about home he was telling me his father was ill and Mrs. Andries not so well I was congratulating him on the beauty and perfection of the ship he said the part he did not like was that the Titanic was taking us further away from home every hour I looked to him and his face struck me as having a very sad expression one other glimpse we have of him then in that brief time of triumph whilst yet the good ship of his which everyone praised was speeding westwards perfectly clear and fine weather towards the place where was no moon the stars were out and there was not a cloud in the sky for more than a week he had been working at such pressure that by the Friday evening many saw how tired as well as sad he looked but by the Sunday evening when the ship was as perfect so he said as brains could make her again I saw him go into dinner he was in good spirits and I thought he looked splendid and hour or two afterwards he went aft to thank the baker for some special bread he had made for him then back to his state room where apparently he changed into working clothes and sat down to write he was still writing it would seem when the captain called him End of chapters 5 through 7 Thomas Andru's Shipbuilder by Sean F. Bullock