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

foreion specimens TO adorn the temple
of science, the youth of the schools and
colleges would repay their parents Ell
forts-they would carry the benefits
reaped from national patriotism into the
bosoms of their family clrcies-they
would turn social converse into an intel
lectual feast-they would botanize IN
natures garden, and present the most
fragrant flowers and precious fruits to
the ewes of those whose love OF their
country had sown the seed, of which they
would dooerro to reap the precious har-
vest
appeal to thee, my generous friend,
who first taught me to appreciate that
warmth of patriotism with which Vir-
gilman heart can glow, for the following
circumstances A large quantity of
shells are often found in the neighbour
hood of Williamsburg they are a spe-
cimen of large lluted oyster shells, known
to abound and extend TO Choptank river
in Maryland, yet this species of oyster is
wholly extinct in the neighboring rivers
Astounding with the common oysters;
affording strong indication of great
revolution, that could thus extinguish
one species and make room for another.
The accurate extent of this bed is sub
ject worthy Of examination and report.
In the eastern states, amidst primitive
rock formations, this species, now ex-
tinCt in James river, is yet TO be found.
IL IT,
dug up, and but rarely, Dever, preserv-
ed. In England the mines of coal often
present vegetable and fossil remains.
Do such instances occur in the mines of
Virginia and Pittsburg, and are they lost
and neglected? Do not such examples
as these establish the fact, that nothing,
which can be made useful or instructive,
ought to be omitted in the formation Of
such a national institution?
In case any prospect of success should
be likely to open in consequence of these
suggestions, shall be happy to give
such hints and Information as may be in
my power to forward the object; but my
wish is only to point the way and render
any auxiliary aid, leaving to your native
genius the task of travelling the paths of
light, and ascending, with an, eagle-eye,
to the meridian height of scientific dis
covery.
l have now SO greatly occupied the
attention of my friends on the subject of
defer that of national education, and the
extension of the Lancasterian system in
the United States, to be the subject of
another communication. ] hope, how
ever, to succeed in showing that, if you
possess the will, as nation, you have
the power of banishing ignorance from
the mind of every child within your
MISUNDERSTANDING future generations
children of light, who shall walk in the
splendor ofsevcn-fold meridian of day.
Having attempted to discharge the
duty of gratitude, in contributing my
mite to promote your country's prospe-
rity, mean speedily to show that the
Lancasterian system Of education pos
sesses superior powers of utility to those
generally known in this country-which
| hope may soon derive every good it
can present in the greatest perfection.
And now my honored friend, BurweB
Bassett, grateful for thy hospitality and
kindness, we'll wisher to science and
knowledge, to thy country's prosperity
and thy own, friend Of every man wor-
thy of being thy coadjutor Or compatriot,
1remain, very respectfully,
AS citizen of the world,
Thy. friend and fellow citizen,
JOSEPH LANCASTER