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


ter will he proud TO say, our father was
one of lis founders.
Gentlemen, YOU who are mechanists
oradmme the boundless extent ofmechau-
&c poacr-who are pleased TO mark the
| complicated movement of machinery, that
like Tie hraveDly bodies, in their may
march, siillmoves by System--here, when
your legislative hours are done, Won may
store your minds from Tie treasure that
the genius of men of ali ages and coun-
tries have produced. Lock al this steam
boal--wouid You know It's origin It's
the foundation OH which all others have
risen (; an effort OF tile genius of Il mas
from among us, who though deserving
statue, his name is scarcely known. Re-
representatives. olBrrkicy county, have YOU
known James RumseA il not, Colden's
life of Fulton Will inform Nuu of him.
Are we addressing anS one whose thots
sometimes turn on the noble, useful, ma
leslic art of Ba'hiing L. there any of
YOU who have sighed or dropped tear o.
yer the ruins OF Athens aud Palmyra?
Have you exclaimed, with Voiney, seated
Oil a broken column" here once -four
ished an opulent city-here was the scat
OF powerful empire Yes, these places,
now wild and desert, were once animated
by living mu!tiude--a busy crowd
circulated IN these streets, now SOLITARY
WITHIN these walls, where now reigus the
silence of death, resoundcd necessarily
Inc noise OF iiie arts, 81 the shouts OF Joy
and testiyity For what purpose has the
ardent traveller detied tie pcrils OF the
desert, and the dagger of the assassin
why has he sought those ancient cities,
through a land set thick with dangers
Is IL 10 seek for human skeletons, or bu-
ried treasure !-No-ior that, nor that
but, 10 beholN the works of art tina; civil
lied man had left behind hin, to view
! the rich fragments oi their temples and
other buildings, 10 see Their master works
ot sialuary and the hrliiaHcy of their
painting, that have survived the lapse Of
llme-ln short, 10 read the history of
nation III their works Building may cor
reciiy b termed the mother of the arts:
from II spring innumerab,e professions,
that conducc 10 the comforts and elegance
OF ic.-Uniortunateiy, in virginia, ;irchi-
lecture has not been cultivated with zeal,
IFS importance has not been justly estima-
ted, we have been blind 10 its excellence,
we have had but small means TO become
acquainted with il, if we have acquired
any proficiency, it has been through ar
age OF application, without the advantage
10 be derived, as II were, In moment,
from books OF the art.
We Will bat touch on that art, (ship
buiidins) that has borne the hammered
eagle of America, IN triumph over the wa
ttrs that encrcle our glObe-it should
rank among the most desirable knowledge
10 be attamed-lt has given, and will per-
petuaie 10 Our country a character of
fame, that time Itself cannot oblitGrate.-
Our proposed institution would embrace
full system of naval architecture.
10 conclude this address, which is in
tended for the consideration not ONLY of
the legislative body, but the citizens of
Richmondando others, feeiinganinteresti in
the advancement of the useful arts; it may
be proper TO sketch plan, for raising a
fund, for carrying The project into effect.
Inc legislature have il in their power In
endow The institution with some perna-
nent fund, from the manv resources OF
the state; and as If is of an importance
minor only, 10 literary education, we
| dare hope II will receive an aid adequate
TO IFS importance. The scheme, perhaps,
may be carried unto effect, by letting an
interest therein 10 subscription by shares,
and requiring a small tribute from visi-
tants, as remuneration to the sarehol-
| ders. Another Net!Iod would be BY means
OF lottery, this possibly would b. most
| popular, as our citizens invest considera-
Die sums III the scales of chance in other
states. III this should not be approved,
we suggest voluntary subscription III
WHICH pecnniary interest would have no
cram; III this we would appeal to the re
nervous representatives of the people, and
10 me people themselves, more especial
| ~ The inhabitants of Richmond. To OBJ
tam momentary qualification, there are
lew men but have cleerfully parted
WIN one days amount of their income ::
II 10 establish this useful institution, half
OF our citizens would subscribe the nett
amount of one days income, a sufficient
sum would be raised 10 erect the build
IilS. III thepeOple's representatives wonlJ
give one day. salary at each session they
Mouid deserve the gratitude of the nation
iOr ne penefli would not be confined alone
10 virginia. We incline TO believe a CON
siderable amount would be contributed
Dy our building class of citizens. tn he
paia In me line OF their profession. Lei
us US Ieiiow ciiizens show TO the world. we
I'VE not alone tor ourselves we who have
'hIiuueu on your time and notice, arc NOT
s"dyeu by a prospect of pecuniary gain
VIC Ieel ior Tie honor OF the ancient domi-
CIV e,oh we are mortified at knowing how
lar ryoungersisters are outstrinn;11a bor
IN useful institutions.
II our object has not been distinctly
nehHed; If our reasoning be obscured by
improper metaphor or phrases, or swe!led
10 unnecessary extent: we plead in ex-
cuse, that III the commencement. we
doubted our abilities TO accomplish the
task undertaken with justice to if, and
credit 10 ourselves.
We subscribe ourselves
Friends Of Science and tie Arts.
MT. Golden, in the life Of Fulton. Iatelv
nmDISneO, las DrnYEn lrnn tIac r,,n-A -.