Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1817-05-02
From the Phaad. Mercantile sadrsr-
tiSer.
WHITLOW'S LECTURES ON
BOTANY.

lZens on the return oil MT. Whilio" y"
our city. Having been present at his
introductory lecture, we make free to
observe, that the delight expressed in
the countenance of his auditors suttl-
GENTLY proved, that they enjoyed not
Ionly the beautiful objects presented to
their sight, but also the treat exhibit
ed to the eye of the mind, in the SCI
lentific observations of the lecturer
and his intimate acquaintance with
medical. chemical, and vegetable afi-
lnities. To the lover of science, we
earnestly recommend these lectures to
lto their attention as the admirers OF
1.-The arts may not have the opportuhi-
tv OF again witnessing SO many. ana
such beautiful productions OF the pen
Gil for many years.
The study of nature is the basis OF
religion. national wealth. and power.
This we have seen cxemplifcd in the
iJews. While they lcda pastoral life,
under their Judges and shepard kings,
Ithey were unvulmerable against ever!
attack of their numerous surrounding
enemies and no period of their his
'Itory exhibits TO US greater display OF
national wealth. than when they lived
simple life, like that of the ratrI-
archs: and they may be said to Lave
ARRIVED at their acme of glory under
1.-THE luxurious Solomon !; and the prin-
tipal part Of their national wealth cen
tired in the metropolis. Indeed. in the
primitive ages OF the world. previous
TO the epoch of the revelation, man
kind. in general, appear to have no
other guide to direct them to know
ledge of the existence and attributes
Icf the Deity, than the contemplation OF
his works. Those, indeed, exhibit
Isuch evident proofs of his power. his
Wisdom, and his goodness. as were
lsuficient to convince rational creatures
THAT a self-existent and iniinite Being
Twas the source and origin of all eXis-
Itence. These st. Paul so well under
Istood, that he condemned the Gentiles,
Ibecause. after having recognized the
ISupreme Being in the works OF crea-
.ition. they neglected to worship him.
land considers them as inaccessible
F." because" says he, "the invinciblc
things of Him from the creation Of the
world are clearly seen, being under
stood by the things that arc made e.
Iycn his eternal power of Godhcad."
The study of natural history. parti
lcular!y the vegetable kingdom. is OF
the utmost importance to the youthful
mind. will give the Young student a
view Of the wonderful works Of God.
Iani inspire exalted notions of his cs-
lscncc, his attributes and his agency.
lin the formation 2Hh disposition Of the
universe. This study IS also both ca
sy and entertaining, and appears con-
genial to the nature Of man. in every
stage of his existence. The infant, on
his first entrance into life, is natural
| " led to employ his opening faculties
| in observing the exterior appearances
| of the things which he Perceiyes a.
round him, as soon as he has ac1uir-
ed the use Of speech, he desires to BE
Uniformed of heirqualities and usWa;
when grown TO maturity, he sees
lhimselcplaced IN a boundiess amphi-
Theatre. filled with An immense yarie-
Itv of objects, which solicit his atten-
,Ition. but through want Of previous
is often lost and confound-
ed in the magnifcenCc and multiplied
ltv of those scenes which nature pre-
lsents to his view.
| That some knowledge Of the sys-
Item Of nature, is necessary to all
ranks Of people. is truth THAI cannot
Ibe contested. The greatest princes
land philosophers of antiquity have not
] Thought the study Of natural history,
particularly Botany, unworthy ofthAI
Iattcntion. Solomon as the scripture
informs ne. 4" spake of trees, from thu
ICcdar tree that is in Lebanon, even T.
tho hyssOp that springeth out of the
wall" Aristotle, the prince of the
,Crccian philosophers. aud the most
magnificent & powerful Of the kings
Ioc Israel, made the knowledge of ma
-l,,.o ,,nn &c tho ,,r,nc,,,.l ,,hinpfc al