Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-09-19

generous spirited people.
Will not patriotism find among YOUR
sea captains and merchants cheerful
hearts and active hands by thousands, to-
search for articles for such museumss
VIII not your pilots port their vessels
with more pleasure when each Ameri-
can navigator can lay his hand on his
heart and say with eXultation, that not
sail is ever unfurled, or does the flag Of
his country float on ocean, sea or river,
but to bring some wonder of art, some
treasure for the museum, which shall be
a light to the word and glory of his
people? If the patriotism Of your ma
tional and state representatives will only
rear the standard of science lis there
true American from the youth of your
colleges TO the most yirtuous leaders of
your nation, that will not glory in its
elevation, and swell the train of its sup
porters Hitherto the powers of nations
have been combined almost only to
| make or resist aggression, but arc Ell
the energies, sacred to humanity, to be
monopolized by war and be everlasting
| ly devoted to render the earth an acel-
| dana, field of blood Is the sword to
devour forever ?--or are the sons of liber-
| ty and science nov to Join hand and heart
in collecting those materials which shall
contribute to increase the welfare OF
mankind-and the light of knowledge D
thousand fold
IT it be needful for those who are to
guide the helm intimately to know the
power and resources of their country,
surely this measure, as effectually con-
centrating these things in focus before
them, is worthy their candid attention
and cordial support lis not this advan-
tage to be obtained by the simple ex-
pense ola museum which would pay IFS
charge of building, by small price for
admission !?
1t seems proper that in making selec-
tons nothing should be omitted that may
be useful. The analysis of soils most
barren as we'll as those most fruitful,
affords double means of Instruction on
one subject. A few years past quanti-
ty of lime was laid on some land in Eng
land-the greater quantity laid on the
land, the more unproductive became the
harvest. That lime, usually considered
as means offertility to the land, should
render it barren, was to the parties
matter strange and new. Specimens
were finally sent for analysis to Sir
Humphrey Dayy he made the expert
ment, and gave solution to the enigma
the lime was found to be blended with
magnesia. The presence of magnesia
in the lime showed the existence of
principle injurious to vegetation. Here
then is simple article rendered of great
local Importance to the benefit or detri-
mcnt of agriculture, as magnesia lime
stone exists in this country. MARI is
another article capable of fertilzing tho
earth in exhausted soils. 1t is of great
importance, especially in wheat coun-
try. 1t may often remain useless only
because unknown. The present Vice
president ofthe United States, has on his
land at Staten Island, specimen of
stone marI--the stone is often dug from
under the surface, and often found near
it. 1t gradually breaks and decomposes
itself when exposed to the air, and final
ly becomes equal to any rich vegetable
garden mould. In how many other cas-.
es may this gerry advantage nov remain
unmproved? The very stones which
are better than any manure, perhaps be=
ing PICKED out at considerable expense,
and thrown away as an incumbrance TO
the ground, and then manure laid on at
much cost. Iron is very common ore,
yet bound!ess as its quantity is in Eng
land, the iron OF Sweden is indispensable
to the perfection Of some of the English
manufactures. Does not this important
difference in common metal, Indicate
the propriety of collecting specimens Of
iron ore from every possible extremity
ola country that ranges under so many
degrees of latitude, as the United States
These observations are made to impress
the Importance of attending to small
matters-their weight will be corrobo-
rated by the consequence which .tuAer's
earth,* (clay, in lis pure state, without
admixture of slex) is to the English
wooden manufactures, in the estimation
of the British parliament, as to cause
heavy penalties to have been formally
enacted to prevent its expectation.
Surely this valuable article needs to be
known and its existence in every place
marked out.
Many more instances of equal i'm
portarce may be found. To look at
what cloth manufacturers call the TEA
ELIZA rough thorny thistle, can hardly