Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-16
FOR THE ENQUIRER.

"''' t"N'N"'th NultSiuSIuDlN tie paw Oh f1tS
oihcers since / left Russia.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
10 the Hen'6ers cfthe Virginia Legislature
lie wise constitution of our country
gives TO all and each OF It's citizens the pri-
viese OF addressing and pctitioning your
honorable body, in decent terms, on anv
subject iiaying Tor its aim individual or
public interest. 1t is with considerable
dlthdence contemplated to exercise this
privilege during your present session, and
on subject Of novelty in our state, the
WHICH, nevertheless, is believed 10 be of
suflclent Importance to claim YOUR atten-
ton and warm support. The ditfidence
expressed does nOtarise from a triviaIness
OF subject, but from consciousness in
those now addressing you, of their inabil-
lty to stamp II with The full importance it
Justly deserves, and which an ADLER pen
would not fail TO exhibit. 1t is not our
desire 10 give false splendor to scheme
that we tlnnk requires only 10 be seen i'm
It's rue colors. 10 insure ii an acceptance
No attempt will be made 10 pass on il an
undeserved eulogium--we will only endea-
vor 10 impress your minds in its favor, by
noiding II up TO your view, such as it is
by orr pointing to few of its general adj
'''''NS 49, wa VIII lNsNlitN TX en-
braces an extent of usefulness not TO be
calcslaIed.
But, to hasten TO the point-If the ge-
neral pulse appears to warrant it, it is iu-
tended TO petition the peoples represen-
taiiVes, for the peoples benefit, TO aid i'm
the establishment of a Library and Deso-
STORY ~ the AItSarSi Sciences, to he located
IN the city OF Richmond. data time, gem
tlemen, when every section of our cOun-
Try glows with the spirit of Improvement,
and your honorable body has opened the
public purse, and with a liberal hand be-
slowed the means of creating many use
iul institGiions-surely, when YOU are
made acquainted with the object of The
one Row contemplated, YOU will not turn
your backs on If, and dcny it the favor of
that sounienance that has beamed on
subjects, as appears 10 us, of minor inl-
pOrtance.
1t need not be told 10 the most enliaht-
ened men in Virginia, that it is a know
ledge OF the arts aud sciences, that main
~ distinguishes the man from the brute.
1t is owing TO the arts that man is lord of
the creailon--it is owing to science that
the arts are perfected. The arts must
ever ilnger III state of mediocrity. until
united with science. Virginia must ever
feel dependence on the citizens of other
States and other countries, until her own
are made competent TO conduct the many
and great works that are contemplated,
and III tram OF progress for raising this
state To that pre- euiuence TO Which lis
population and resources eutltleit.
1t may now be enquired, in what man
ner a spread of scientific mechanic know
ledge is TO be effected We answer, Uy
properly organizing tile institution named
And, having come to this point. we
here encounter the principal difficulty to
Development of our scheme. That
part of If, however, that has fastened OH
our minds is this-Considering the NUM-
ficence that granted site on the capitol
square for the erection of museum, that
IS becoming an ornament to the STATE; it
Is.Iniended TO ask the like favor ola site
whereon to erect n building, who's exte-
rlor, 1t is hoped, will exhibit praise wor-
thy specimen ofna tIyearchiieCturc, and IFS
interior be designed us the receptacle of
library on Tie arts and sciences, and as
a depository OF the models of machinery,
implements OF agriculture, and all such
specimens of the useful arts as can be
procured. For Instance-lere would be
an assemblage of books, with plates illus
trallye OF the various methods that the in
genuity OF man has produced. to clearthe
forest, liii the earth or swim lhc ocean
tlieIDiellectual labors of men of every ma
ton, whose genius has marked The power
di ihchuman faculties, would be reflected
on the minds of The ignorant. aud strip
ibe bdndage from the vision of those WHO
have labored wlthouta guide.
Here, the farmer, whose knowledge of
agriculture las been confined by the linn
tied range taught him by his father. and
has fashioned his plough TO tire form his
ancestor had used, without considering
IFS advantages or disadvantages: here. we
repeat, he will be surprised, delighted, ed
lhed, while he gazes on the hundred diff
ferent forms 10 which the plougi, is mo-
delled How will his heart palpiiaie. how
will he glory IN his avocaIlon. when IN
formed, Hct isa plough designed by our
illuStrious jefferson that's his mould
board there tie book (see Domestic En-
eyciopedia) ~ which you will find his di-
reclions io fashion IT,. Gentlemen OF the
legislature, yOu who are farmers. and have
omitted To become acquainted WIN books
Onlnshandry, aud tie various implements
connected With Us perfection. yonr alien
Ton IS respectfully invited to tie subject