Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-08-06

society appears TO have been framed, with view TO OBJ
viae some of the difficulties under which we labor lite
annual meetings held here at the seat OF government
at ime when our executive judicial and legislative de-
parimeus in session. and when circumstances liza
bile to exist, which will draw together at this place many
eng hened aud Influential persons from the cfau;t, al
so all our etngs and discussions public; all who
choose may attend them aud especial provisions is made
Tor any Of those members OF The three state departments
who may not join this society, that they al ali tines
have nee access 10 the library aud cahet, which be-
oug 10 the ety Thus, besides the many advantage that
WIZ naturally eccno 10 this association tom being located
~ The most pcpuUus S in the state at present tile centre
ot commercial eutcpti'r and from receiving the ccur,-
nancr aud al" the many talented gentlemen, DO
r reside ~ ;he governncnit will ia oil probable
yiccre very material assistance in carry ope
r'ons, bonn e rooperarn OF our legislators, who coming
annually t"n section oil the commonwealth, can be-
come import ant contributors TO its advancencnt and
cipen and distributors Of its benefits. BY these Means
il will @ able perform The office il civil eco.
ncmy tina, The heart does in the anns;it will
through oil the various iamiiicatiOns u state genial
warmth and appropriate nourishment.
But sir Irrespective OF these collateral, but highly i'm.
pnan advantages, take into simply
the dement's which will doubtless be derived, from The
uahI. communications which may be laid beiore the
c"ty and the discussions subjects connected with the
h,ghes, Interests OF the State which will probably take
place during its annual meetings, this association in be
worthy Of special attention. Our members, following
different pursuits, aud coming from different parts Of the
state. viii be bSaght ia under
well calculated To- awaken intense energy o elicit pow
crs that would Otherwise lie dormant aud stimulate the
mini to its highest exerlon,-to arouse curiosity, and
"
and White communicating and receiving the results Of
each Others researches, shall "appy 10 each other
constant stimulus ty which continued progress will be
made, In all that adorns inellectua being and
gives ee, alton 10 his mental Character "Science like
IRE. is PIT in motion by collision" Sir, tho experience
Of every enlightened period of the world bears testimony
TO The Truth that the communion OF cultivated minds gives
powerful impetus 10 the onward movement of intellect
and all human improvements.
The present high state Of advancement in literature
science and the arts, is indebted to the influence
exer'ed by literary and scientific societies. than to any
other, perhaps 10 all other cause.-Allow me them sir 10
turn your attention for tho history OF these
nurseries OF ledge. The first association of sci
enthc men, since the time when learning emerged from
Como night, appears to have been formed about the
middle OF the seventeenth century The celebrated
Robert Boyle succeeded in forming small club of the
lovers OF learning as early I645 which in 1862
corporaed by Charles H. by the ofhe Royal Society
oil London ms institution published its first volume of
rsnaciions in 1865 and since that time il has given to the
world one hundred and volumes This work is
OF immense value TO Great Bttan and has al all ,iue.
been regarded tke standard Of English science About
The same period O652) the Academia Naiurn Ciiosorum
was formed IN Germany; the Academia del Cimen,o of
Florence l667) the Institute of Boogn in Italy aud
the Royal Academy OF Sciences al Paris Q666) The
last now called the Institute of France An these So
ceIes have enriched the republic OF by their pub
listed Transactions and collections Ii is worthy of
particular observation, that all these associations were
formed within The space OF twenty years OF each other
and probably the direct and legitimate effects of The
influence OF Lord Baoons inducve system of philoso.
phlsing. There appears 10 have heen simultaneous
bursting lorh oil genius in most of the civilized parts OF
Europe An VINO are acquainted with the history oil
learning, need not be informed OF the powerful proieclle
force that the hest and highest interests of man received
Rom The combined Influence OF these societies. They
were composed OF the active and profound phloso
piers oil the tines who had united for the purpose Of
comparing their views with each other aud discussing
and investigating the various subjects, which claimed the
attention oil the scientific world. From that period TO the
present similar institutions have been formed i'm all of the
mo'i prominent pats OF Eurone
Tie hr'! sociciy Tor the promotion Of science, which
was established in this coury, the American Phoso
picai Society, formed at Philadelphia in 1862 and char
tered in 1850 Its founder and pesevering supporter
was the prince of American philosophers the American
Franklin As soon the beneficial effects of this society
were fully perceived similar instructions ere established
In other parts of our country The American Academy Of
Arts and Sciences in Massachusetts in 1885, the Histor
cal Society at Boston in 1871 W has published tw
volumes OF historical collectons the Connecticut Acade
my OF Arts and Sciences in $780, the United States Mill
tdry Philosophical Society al West Point in 1902; the
New York Historical Society in 1904 -four volumes of
coilectons) and within the last TWENTY-FIVE wears
institutions have been formed in almost every part
oil our country These institutions, sir by the aid and
direction which they have given TO modest worth and as
Piring genius by the mighty and perscvering spirit phi
osoPhca research which they have elected and nurlured
by The immense mass oihghy interesting and valuable
Ter, which they have secured, and intervals published
ior the information OF the public large; have done
much very much, for the rapid progression Of all those
useful arts and sciences which, in great degree con-
siute what may he termed the bone and muscle of the
prosperity and glory OF our country. Although have
been too far removed from the of these
10 ENJOY the many advantages arising from participation
IN their active pursuits yet, through The medium of the
many Inventions, discoveries, and which have
suited from their efficient labors have received from
Them great and lasting benefits. But sir, if we are not
visionary in COZ lectures the time has arriy ed when
some, in orr State, have determined not only to be
recipients OF that stream of know ledge which is rapidly
rising in united republic, but also he cont buiors 10
that vast tide oil improvement which fast swelling over
The surface oil our and OF free institutions and which, we
fondly hope is destined ultimately TO visit in its onward
movement every the darkest portion of the iabta
BILE globe. Yes, sir this determination prompted few of
those present TO act Feeling that there was great
need, in extended Commonwealth of a Society
which would concentrate the intellectual and moral ener-
gies ct our enlightened citizens generally inspire deep
and nv'goraing ardor in the of individual and pub
lie Improvement, they spontaneously met, in this place
year since and formed the nucleus Of this association |,
indeed commenced in Uedkness, but present pros.
poets indicate, that it will be carried OH with constantly
Increasing strength.
But let us turn particularly TO the leading objects
OF our institution We find definite and full exposition
OF them forth in the first article of our constitution
which follows: "Ihe object of This socefu shall be-
10 procure and prescrre Whafeoer relates to the natural
ciu and literary history of This State, and to patronse
fan as practicable all those sciences and arts ,chich
haze direct tendency to promote the best interests OF
our citizens Sir, my mind cannot conceive of objects
worthy the attention and efforts of true patriot and
| devoted philanthropst than these
Allow me, sir to dwell some of them for fe mi
The history Of all nations whether barbarous OF
civilized, has established this important fact-tha no in
uence is generally powerful and uniform in its ope
ration on mankind, than that which arises from correct
knowledge OF the manners, customs and ilIusirious
deeds OF their ancestors. | know sir il will not be
ence to the innumerable instances on record where
| this influence has operated to nerve the arm and
FIRE the breast OF the warrior, to kindle and feed
the flame OF patriotism in the bosom OF the civilian and Ia
the scholar This influence has only constituted one
of the strongest national enterpse huf in