Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-08-09
BONaEs'TAC.

sz.-.s.'ss-,s,
DOMESTIC.
PRESIDENT CUsHING's ADDRESS, Concluded
Bul, sir, another object OF this society, indicated by
The cultivation OF philo'oPhy or in other words
the encouragement and advance OF philosophical
es Here is opened before rich and extensive fell
Of inquiry.
All the powers and operations which have been disco
vered in The Universe, and which the mind of man is ca
pab'e OF comprehendiUg, may be referred the proper
us either OF 'rditer Or mind The philosophy matter
may be divided into three distinct sciences, viz: Natural
History Natural Philosophy, and Chyni-ry The phi
iosophy oil md. into four sciences viz Mental philoso
ply Moral Philosophy, Political Economy, aud Natural
Whatever comes within the scope Of either Of these
tehsive departments OF science, may he considered e-
grnac object OF investigation tor society. II i.
pleasing to cherish the hope, that association al
vsnces In magnitude anil vgor there Will be such pi
III OF philosophical research excited i'm i bs ,i
noregon OF human knowledge will be Ie wholly ,ue
pofed Bat at the present time, will advert TO tos
branches OF science, which, perhaps, were expected Ia
claim our more immediate attention. and for the advance
ioent OF which, all OF directly cnntribue
We will first turn your attention TO Natural History
ms science embraces, geology minoraloey, botany
au zooogy. Some OF these branches OF more pracii
cal utility than ohert; such shall notice more psrcu
iary as we pass on. Geology although presents mo I
Interesting field OF inquiry, has received but lille alton
ton until within few years past. In former times on,
ogy consisted of series Of visionary spcculaons 10
count Tor the formation and changes Of globe; bu,
w'thiD the last hall century, il has assumed am entire
new character and has become science reared uoI
numerous and accurate observations facts: and there
lore, mas assumed rank among those sciences
s'a upon HE basis OF induction. IL is difficult now
Tor skillu geologi,t from examination Of the exterior
substances OF the carh TO become acquainted viii, il.
interior structure.
In America, there combined efforts made for
investigating the geology OF country, until 1920 when
the men OF science i'm derents nors of Tho TTni,oJ
assembled at New Haven and formed The American Geo
logical Society Through the influence of that society
many paris OF our country have been explored and
OF geological facts and specimens collected toee,hcr and
noticed by our scientific journals Thus, interest has
been excited, which promises much Tor the future
he science OF mneralogy, which is Intimately con-
heceh WIN mat OF geology, is also in lis infancy in our
country This science has very important and exten.
siyc range; its object TO describe classify tie differ
cnt objects of inorganic matter aud TO explain their nec,
liar properties and uses. Every substance which j. rot
the immediate product OF organized body belongs
the mineral kingdoms and all such substances arc divided
by mneTalogists, into iOur classes The FIRST includes
ear'hy compounds such as the topaz quartz, diamond;
The second saline subances the third, nflammabIe bo-
dies such as sulphur coal, peat &c; the fourth metals
or mctac ores) The importance OF this science canno,
be well ovcrrated Whether be view ed as TENDING 10
increase individual wealth, to improve agriculture And
multiply arts aud manufactures aud thus pro,uote the
pubic gcol cor as aodng pleasant subject of scien.
hc research II recommends Itself TO the attention OF the
citizen and the scholar.
The mneraOgy of The United States is noyv admitted
TO be as rich and as valuable that any other
Oar statesmen OF enlarged views as well as the
OF science nave Tor some time past, perceived the
mense advantages that will be derived TO our country from
thorough investigate of lie mineral treasures To Sc
cure ths important object, geological an n,ineraIogical
societies have been formed IN ncarlv all of the old am,
Legislatures OF Massachusetts,, New York Ken,uckv
Tennessee, North aud South Carolina, Georgia and nro
baby some Others, perceving HAT know ledge
lher mineral resources ana proper application Of them
wonll greatly Increase their physical power and me ans nj
Internal Improvement, have appropriated from time 10
time funds. 10 accurate minute geoloqica and
minerdogca surveys Of their respective territories In this
way, all their citizens have in their power TO ascertain
the properties and locations of the different sneciss ol
rocks, ores coal, natural Soils chymica anures and mi
neral waters in each section OF the country Thus tie
Interests OF individuals aud OF the State, as well as OIL
SCIENCES promoted
Thus far experience has proved that the more the mi
neral treasures are explored tie they atundany
repay the research and we trust that shortly we shal no
longer ign0raniy tread under feet permit 10 remain
nncbseryed, minerals OF great curiosity and value and
"inpoH rom other countries frequently at great xpensc
what SIC possess abundanuy, a home"
There be doubt, . but hat Virginia is as rich
In geological anl npeaogical productions ony of her
sister states Ihe aspect Of our country is marked by
striking aud prominent characteristics, Indicating prea
variety I'd i'' geological structure Our mountains and
valleys conin valuable minerals and abound n medicinal
waters, aud the middle aud lower sections of the State
possess n'ny highly important clymca ard mincralogi
cal formations But yet these eubrcs have been but
hfile attended 70, by cilizens.
Without attempting complete enumeration Of the va.
rou minerals which have sready been discovered in the
Stale; We viii mention OF them. Many Of the rock
belonging To TIE three great classes VIZ the pFimiiye
teeondary and transition, have been found here Anon.
tie nmper ore, granite gneis mica, quartz sOapsone
sOei, asbestuf, hOrnhlsnde, garnet and limestone AIa
s1ne o. me more important meals have been discovered
VIZ n Inr' rai copper silver, iron, gold, and bares
Beetles the suhsiDces men iDned chsik silt wells and
hicks coal, gypsum, and several species Of mafI have
beeu long known 10 exist 10 the State
The limestone Of te valley is of very good qualify and
~ Internal Improvements progress, ni increase in
yauc u - sdi mere are d1rcn rs Of fArble in
the neigbboho'd OF James RIVER, which could be isea
in tho ars 10 great sdyanagc The western mountain.
cost ogbause mines OF iron orc, Of the richest quail
81; sooe OF TIC are worked viii considerable profit
Its sslt wokfn Washington county are in time of prac,
so1fcs OF great proGi 10 The owners aud an exicusv,
convenience 70 lsrze section If me western coun ~
bur 10 tms Of war ucy will provo 10 be national hlots
Tugs Banminnns coal bis been discovered in varou
paris 81 ihe ate extensive mines oil t we a know
have been worked 20 groU pfohi tof many years Ihl
coal possesses sJne valuable properties which will secure
Ir % an increasing demand from abroad The Gypsum
found IN Washington county IN great quantities is said e
be as valuable % hat brought from Nova Scotia, and