Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-09
From the Providence MicrocoSm.
ALUMNI. PRIZE ESSAY.

The following is one of the prize essays which
tee Ct the Alumni Fund Of Brown University,
in September last.
The branches Of human knowledge are so ex-
ceedingly numerous and diversified, that the
period Of human life is too brief TO allow the
investigation OF all. thorough acquaintance
with but few OF the sciences is attalnabe only
by the assiduous labors Of many years. In or
der, therefore, that the student may employ his
time with profit to himself and with benefit 10
others, it is necessary that from the almost in
Vulnerable subjects of inquiry, which present
themselves TO his mind, and court his observa-
ton, he should select as the proper objects OF
his attention and pursuit, those which are most
important and interesting.
The usefulness Of science, then, is its pro
per recommendation to the attention Of the stu
dent; but it will appear doubly attractive, and
engaging if with usefulness it unites pleasure
in the pursuit.
The science Of Antiquities, presents itself to
the contemplation Of The student with both
these recommendations. 1t is of high and ex-
tensive utility, and it affords delightful enter
tainment TO intellectual curiosity.
This science, in its most general sence, en-
braces all the knowledge of former times, de-
rivable from the numerous records, monuments
and remains of ancient art and genius, that
have escaped the ravageS and desolatlons OF
barbarsm and war, the elemental shocks OF
| azure, and the destroying hand OF time.
From this definition, it is manifest that anti
quites form a very extensive and complicate
science, and one which would have been unat-
tainable by any individual, had not many emf.
nent sc holars devoted their time and talents to
the task of simplifying and reducing it 10 sys-
tenn. Applying themselves with much seduli-
ly to antiquarian researches, they have, from
the mass of rubish which their Investigations
have cisinterred and brought to light, select
ed and transmitted to pos,eri,y whatever they
found valuable and worthy of preservation in
the usages, laws, religion, and learning OF eat
ly nations. From the treasury Of antiquities;
which the results of their researches coniunc-
lively form, the student may draw the mater-
ais of science which is connected, more or
less intimately, with most others, and without
the aid Of which, few of the sciences or arts
can be fully understood, or applied with advan-
tage to the affairs of life
AT those periods in the histories of nations
where fact blends with fable; where the torch
vi tuth ouihS oul olIhIy, anu hlHSS ou| 6'i't
merlng ray over the darksome region around,
the antiquary commences his researches
There by examining and collecting the relics OF
early time, he is enabled to separate reality from
the Pigments of fancy, to establish what rests on
the basis of evidence, and to reject what has no
better foundation than tradition and conjecture.
There, he searches out the origin Of the diff
ferenr tribes of men; of civil society; Of letters;
of laws; and of religion-investigate the sourc-
es of diversity in the customs, languages, cere-
monies and usages of mankind; notes the ear
liest productions of the mind in science and
literature, and observes the first rude essays Of
untaught genius in the useful and the elegant
arts.
Emerging from this obscure region into the
clearer light which history affords, he beholds
the rudeness ofsavage life and manners, soften
ing by degrees into civilization, and refinement;
observes nations rising from small beginnings
to eminence and grandeur, notes the advance
ment of science, Of letters, and of the necessa-
ry and the ornamental arts of life, and traces
the natural progress of the human mind through
every successive state of improvement. to the
full Development of its amazing powers.
The labors of the antiquary do not end, how