Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-11-25
from the New York Tribune.

IFrom the New ork lrlounc'I
History of Ter,nont, Natural Girl and Stdtistieal
Epororinrs BIZ ZADocK THOMPSON, Burling-
ton. Published for the Author BY Chauncey Good.
rich.
For some years past persevering effort has been
made by some of the most enlightened citizens OF
VERMONT to induce the Legislature to institute &C.
illogical Survey of the State and general nvosga-
ton ofis natural wealth and history. 1t has been
sustained by the soundest arguments and the strong
est appeals TO the pecunary interests the State PRIDE
and the intelligence OF the Legislature. For long
time il failed to excite attention then few of the
boldest locked favoraby toward it, and at the pres
ent Session bill authorizing the Survey PASSED the
Senate by large majority and with little opposition,
but only 10 be rejcctedb by the House with an equal
unanimity and as little debate. In the mean time,
MIR. TnoMrsoS, an humble citizen, with no wealth,
no assistance, no encouragement even, has SINGLE
handed by assiduous, enthusiastic and most honora-
bic exeriion, produced work which puts TO shame
this nggard illberqliiy of the Legislature though II
leaves the student far less reason, than he would OH
erwse have, TO dcpore its pertnaclous manifestation
While more than half the States of the Union have
instituted Surveys, TO dcvclopc their riches and aid
the cause of Natural Science vERmoST, which should
stand foremost among them all in every noble work
6ullCu W uCl CuulCHlS HClstli
with raising sheep careless of the mineral wealth
which may lie within her mountains, of the facilities
and means for all high culture which she possesses
and of the intellectual power which sum5ers among
her hills and which only awaits her conscn, and her
aid TO make her first among her sister Satcs--priw-
US inter paresin the best and ,rucst elements Of all
social wel-beng. 1t is well that her not all
like her; and the shnrpest robuo she receive Mt
their hands, though The one least likely TO be apprec
ated and felt comes from the works of utility and
worth. which, in spite Of her frowns they now and
then produce.
The work before lis is by far the fullest and most
satisfactory History that we have ever seen of any
State Every page exhibits the marks oftho closest,
most untiiing industry and of peculiar fitness in
the Author for the arduous task he has undertaken
and SO well discharged. 1t is large octave, printed
on small type and with double columns, and is dyl-
ded into three parts
|. The first comprises the Natural History ofV Yer
mont, embracing first minute descriptive and phys
ica geography of the Sate--wiih fill tables ustrat-
ing its climate and metefeoogy; and then complete
history of lis Animal and Botan cal predictions
Forty five quadrppeds caalogued as belonging 10
the State, including Bears, Catamounts, Wolves,
Beavers, Moose and Deor-each individual beng mi
nutely described and represented by cngravErs.-In
the same way one hundred and forty birds are shown
to belong to the State and thirty-ivo rcptiles-oi
which each is sketched and minutcy DESERT Cd
There are forty fishes found within the State. The
invertrebal animals also fully realcl. Then fol-
lows the Botany Of Vermont-a sciennic treatise of
some fifty pages prepared with care and great accu-
racy and presenting more fully by far than it has cv-
-es-6een done before -puve catalogue Of the
Plants of Vermont-ihiity-four of which are iounG
in no other State. This portion OF the work, more
than any other, is The result Of close personal exaor
lion and the catalogue presented is without doubt
much more complete than has been published ofuny
other State. For every botanst in the Union il must
possess the highest value. The gcoorical and mine
raogeal description OF the State is br.e-hut the au-
thor says enough is presented to show that che
State ranks among the first IN the Union in mineral
resources"
ii. The second part presents fu'l anl well writ
ten Civil and Political History Of Misunderstanding
her progress fiom her first settlement through the
Revolution and her stormy contest with New York
down TO the present time. Many Interesting Gnec-
dotes are recorded illustrating the character Other in
haAians and par;aking strongly ofthe romantic cher
ncter by which her early history Is marked. i fii
expedition of her Po'itca! Institutions ci'en5 iti
detailed statement of HE number and character OF
her Colleges and higher ssa,nnaries, OF her various
religious Societies and full explanation Of the state
of Society and statistical accounts of agriculture
manufactures, commerce, benevolent institutions,
DC. &c. within the bounds Of the State. This por-
ton of the work is highly IN, resting and valuable.
III. The third part is strictly Gazetteer of YER
mont-gvinga typographical and historical desciip-
ton of all the countless towns, rivers, mountains &c.
of the Stae-prepared with great care and present.
ing the most complete and perfect Gazetteer we have
ever seen.
The book is noble monument of the Authors in
frepid industry, and a most valuable contribution TO
the Literary wealth OF the State. 1t is badly print
ed, and published in style quite unworthy its intrin-
sic merits; this trust may be rcmeded in sec-
ond edition. To the people of Vermont it must be an
invaluable work while those in other States who
wish full and perfect of her character and
history will find II far superior 10 uny'wok Of the
kind that has ever leen Published. We trust it may
meet with favor in some degree at least common
surate with its worth.
Isaac Hill is going TO Washington, to con-
duct the Madisonian, it is said.