Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-01-12

| ment and awe with which the expedition unde
Columbus was received on its FIRST landing Of
the American shore. Hence he depressed int
an apostrophe on the present condition OF Spain
contrasting the attitude in which she then stood
as the discoyerer of a New World, and tina
she now occupies, as unable to retain her owl
rank in the old one. While around her art ant
science are diffusing their splendid usefulness
over mankind, she alone degenerates and de
clInes in the scale Of nations. He proceeded t
review the perfection to which the chisel ane
pencil of ancient genius reached. His descrip
ton of the dying gladitor was fine example
of oral delineation From the works Of art, ht
went on TO make brief reference to the orators
of past ages. He then dwelt on the vast i'm
provements which have since taken place in al
the various departments Of human knowledge
How would the first men Of the ancient ages
could they be reformed from the impalpable
/ dust into which they have been changed, stand
astonished, could they see the phenomena which
the present age exhibits. Virgil and Livy to
| sec their works in print. The Heroes OF Greece
and Rome to see their greatest deeds eclipsed
| by the invention Of fire arms. The wonder with
| which the telescope would be viewed; and all
the other productions Of modern genius The
finishing touches which the science OF later
times has given 10 The imperfect discoveries OF
by-gone ages The effects of chemistry-the
improvement in navigation since the discovery
of the compass. He touched on the encrprising
character of the Venetians, the change which
had since taken place in the character OF
commerce itself, and Of those who are engaged
in it, since the day when Aristotle thought ii
unworthy ola gentleman, and PLATO would have
punished him who made it his pursuit.
The orator viewed the effects of the arts and
sciences upon the comforts of mankind, and the
wretched condition Of those countries in which
they are not cherished; and regarded the adj
yances which were daily-witnessed in the path
of knowledge by those nations in which the de-
sire Of knowledge was active One age puts
to shame that which has preceded Tight is
added to Highland yet much remains to be
discovered before we shall reach the limits as.
signed by the divine interdict-"thus far shalt
thou 60, but no farther" The secrets of the
elements are not all discovered; and many
phenomenon, destined to produce future won
der and utility, yet remains undeveloped.
By gradual transition, he came to touch on
individual genious, and instanced the obscure
origin from which some of the greatest men,
Franklin, Fulton, Harrison, Arkwright-have
sprung. He glanced over the field Of useful,
and the fowery walks of ornamental science,
and touched on the impossible limit which
seems to be laid down. 10 individual genius,
which compels it to obtain perfection in one
science, at the cost ofignorance, or at farthest,
superficial knowledge in all other sciences.
Thus the powers of one individual should be
thrown into a common stock, and men of tai
ent should be associated together, to give TO
them all that influence which belongs to know
ledge
A conviction ofthis necessity has introduced
the literary and scientific associations Of mod
ern times. Modern Europe abounds in them,
which corresponding with each other, becomes
still more powerful! He instanced the Institute |
Of Paris, and the Royal Society of Lodnon.
Referring to the unsuccessful efforts which had |
been made in this country to establish similar |
societies, he attributed them to the genius Of
our institutions, which placed our different |
States in an attitude Of rivalry, which prevent
an union even for literary and scientific purpo-
ses. He anticipated better state Of things.
The orator then took view of the particu-
lar situation, prospects, and character, Of the
Columbian Institute, after warm panegyric
on Its founder. Here men Of learning could |
meet on neutral ground; here he hoped was the
foundation Of an Institution which should here
after dispense utility and honour to the country
giving to her that pre-eminence in the arts and |
sciences, which she now enjoys in liberty; here
he trusted would be found reservoir Of knowl-
edge, which men of science in all parts of the
Union would contribute to fill. He referred |
to the advantages ofits situation its proximity
to the Library Of Congress, and to the Patent
Office; to the encouragement which had been
extended to it by Congress, in placing the Bo-
tanic Garden under its charge; by the Com
mttee on Manufactures, in committing to it the
superintendent Of their exhibitions. Should
an Observatory be established, he anticipated
new benefit to the labours of the Institute.
Freedom is the natural soil Of knowledge:
under despotic governments it only fingers like
a forced and pining exotic; but where liberty
is, it expands into the perfection Of beauty and
usefulness Ours is the land of freedom; here
are no despots, no hierarchs, no tortures, but
all the circumstances of our age and situation
combine to urge US on to still greater efforts
The orator occupied somewhat above an
hour in its delivery.
1ofhe Editors Of the Ne,c- York american