Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-12-01
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE
AND SCIENCE.

Our attention has been called TO an association
Of literary and scientific men, principally resident
in New York, for the purpose of extending the
benefits OF the periodical works, both literary,
scientific and religious, both Of this country and
Of Great Britain. The plan. ifcarred into effect,
will bring a large amount Of valuable reading
matter, IN literature, science, and the arts within
the reach OF vast number who are now shut GU,
from il for want Of pecuniary means. The object
10 certainly worthy the attention Of our INTEL
and emphatical!y reading community; and the
plan has already received the favorable regard Of
large number Of associations in various parts Of
The country. We subjoio the following extract
from the Literary Advertiser upon this subject.
This Society is a central organization of
country associations, (which are being formed
in every village in our country.) and has been
established for the purpose Of thereby making
accessible to EVERY person the higher sources
OF knowledge through the medium of Periodi-
cal Publications, Books, Lectures, Scientific
Apparatus, &c. 1t is established on the self.
supporting principle, and therefore possesses
the elements of vitality. Its central Office is
IN the city Of New York, and 10 designed as
the depot OF the material of its operations, I'M
der the charge of General Agent. who is
strictly responsible to the Society for the faith
full discharge Of his duties, and for any surplus
funds which may accumulate after lquidating
the necessary liabilities incurred in supplying
Auxiliaries, and transacting the business Of the
Society which fund is to be expended for the
advancement Of the cause Of knowledge and
science, as the Presidents of auxilaries shall
determine.
Al. Il
full knowledge among the American people,
has been the want of some free, liberal and
simple plan of association, by which the most
valuable publications in all the departments of
knowledge might be brought together and
made accessible in every village and neighbor.
hood of our country. These publications are
so numerous and costly, that few persons pos
sess the ability to procure them all for their
individual use and single one, or even a
half dozen Of them affords TO the possessor but
partial and inadequate view of the numerous
topics Of useful discussion and research en-
braced in the whole. Thus we have failed of
bringing TO the doors of our intelligent coun-
trymen the means Of universal instruction, es-
pecially in the higher departments of knowl-
edge--which are fitted to elevate and expand
the mind and improve the heart and the taste.
The deficiency may be supplied by this Society.
Again, such plan OF association is suited
to promote union and cooperation among all
classes and denominations Of literary and in
telligent men, in the common cause Of sober,
dignihed, instructive and Christian literature.
The whole stock OF our knowledge in regard
to passing events and discussions, throughout
the world, will become the property of each
neighborhood, and will be possessed in a per-
manent form. Each individual will have nc
cess to the same sources fgeneral instruction.
All will feel common interest in the same
topics Of knowledge. Each auxiliary society
may be Lyceum of itself, and win furnish
what, hitherto has been so much wanting to
give life and permanency 10 the Lyceum sys-
iem-a store house OF knowledge, around
which the members could cluster, and from
which they could draw materials for their per-
sonal use in preparing for the exercises Of the
Lyceum thus the social principle will be
brought strongly in aid Of Intellectual and NOR
al improvement.
Hon. Theodore frelinghuySn is President Of
this Association, and his name is no feeble re.
communication Of the plan.