The New York Packet

Curious Article, extracted from Ferguon's Tracts, relative to several Arts and Sciences.

A short account of the Silk Mills at Derby.

In these mills are 26,586 wheels, and 97,746 movements, continually working except on Sundays. This grand machine is disposed in four stories of large rooms above one another; and the whole is actuated by one great water-wheel, which goes round three times in a minute--In each time of its going round, 73,728 yards of silk are twirled; so that in 24 hours, 318,504,960 yards are twirled. The water-wheel is kept constantly going; But on Sundays it is disengaged from all the rest of the work. Any part of these movements may be stopped without the least prejudice or interruption to the rest.

Wondrous machine! Thy curious fabric shows,
How far the power of human wisdom goes!
Where many thousand movements all attend.
Upon a wheel, and on that cause depend.
Sceptic, advance! propose thy scheme of wit,
That faith to reason always must submit,
Whence learn'd thee movements to obey command?
Who taught them how to roll, and when to stand?
Was it by chance this curious fabric came?
Or did some thought precede, and rule the frame
Worthy the mortal, on whose soul, confest,
His Great Creator's image stands imprest!
Now turn from earth to Heaven thy doubting eyes,
And read th' amazing glories of the skies!
Worlds without number roll in different spheres.
Keep to their seasons and complete their years!
Five thousand circuits, made with equal force,
The earth has finish'd by its annual course.
The sun dispenses beams of genial light,
And lends his rays to cheer the gloomy night.
Stupendous power and thought! inquire no more,
Own the FIRST MOVER; and, convinced ADORE.