New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-11-17


For some years past persevering effort has
been made by Of the most enlightened citi-
rsns Of VERMONT to induce the Legislature to in
s,i,nte Geological Survey Of the State and gen.
era investigation of its natural wealth and his-
tory. II has been sustained by the soundest ar
guments and the strongest appeals to the pecunia-
nv interests the State PRIDE and the intelligence
Of the Legislature For long time it failed to
excite attention; then few of the bodest looked
tavorably toward it, and at the present Session
bill authorising the Survey passed the Senate by
large majority and with little opposition, but only
TO be rejected by the House with an equal una
nimity and little debate. In the mean time,
Mr. THoMPsoS, an humble citizen, with no wealth,
noassstance, no encouragement even has single
handed, by assduous, enthusiastic and most hon.
cradle eXerton, produced work which puts to
shame this niggard iberalty of the Legislature
though it leaves the student far less reason, than
be would otherwise have, to deplore its pertna-
cious manifestation. While more than half the
States of the Union have instituted Surveys to
dsveope their riches and aid the cause of Natu-
rsl Science, VERMONT, which should stand fore
most among them all in every noble work suited
10 her character and position, contents herself
with raising sheep-careless of the mineral wealth
which may lie within her mountains Of the facili-
,es and means for all high culture which she pos
sesses and of the Intellectual power which slum-
bers among her hills and which only awaits her
consent and her aid to make her first among her
sister States--primus inter pares-in the best
and truest elements of all social well-being. 1t
Is we'll that her cons are not all like her; and the
harpest rebuke she can receive al their hands,
though the one least likely to be appreciated and
felt, comes from the works of ability and worth
which in spite Of her frowns they now and then
! produce
The work before US is by far the fullest and
most satisfactory History that we have ever seen
sFany State. Every page exhibits the marks Of
the closest, most untring industry and of pecu-
liar 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 divided into three parts.
|. The first comprises the Natural History of
Vermont, embracing first minute descriptive and
illustrating its climate and metereology; and then
complete history Of its Animal and Botanical
productions. Forty-fve quadrupeds are ca,alogued
belonging to the State, including Bears, Gaia
mounts, Wolves, Beavers, Moose and Deer-each
individual being infinitely described and repre-
sented by engraviugs. In the same way one hun
dred and forty birds are shown to belong to the
State and ,hirty.two reptiles-sf which each i.
,setched and infinitely described There are for
! Wishes found within the State. The invertebral
animals are also fully treated. Then follows the
Botany of vermont-a scientific treatise Of some
iiypages prepared with care and great accuracy
md presenting more fully by far than it has ever
aeen done before descriptive catalogue of the
Plants of Vermont-lhrty-four of which are found
in no ether State. This portion of the work, more
than any other, is the result of close personal ex
pOraton; and the catalogue presented is without
doubt much more complete than has been pub
shed OF any other State. For every botanist in
the Jlnos it must possess the highest value. The
geological and neurological description of the
State is brief-but the author says enough is pre-
\ snted to show that q the State ranks among the
4 Snt in the Unien in mineral resources"
4 II. The second part presents full and well
written Civil and Political History of Vermont
detailing her progress from her first settlement
through the Revolution and her stormy contest
Z With New-York down to the present time Many
Interesting anecdotes are recorded illustrating the
Character Of her inhabitants and pertaking strong
tbn L. bara Ia
history us marked. A full exposition of her Political
aSituionsis given, with detailed statement Of the
lumber and character of her Colleges and higher
sminaries, of her various religious Societies and
aio explanation of the state of society and sta
shcal accounts of agriculture, manufactures,
commerce, benevolent institutions, &c. &c. within
~ bounds of the State. This portion of the
work is highly interesting and valuable.
Ill The third part is strictly a Gazetteer Of
,s'nons-givng typographical and historical
UseIpon Of all the counties, towns, rivers, noun
vans &c of the Sta,e-prepured with great care
/ Ia Presenting the most complete and perfect
'slsleer we have ever seen.
+ ice book is a noble monument of the Author 5
1sslnd industry and most valuable contribution
"e Literary wealth OF the State. II is badly
fia'ed' and published in style quite unworthy
= Intrinsic merits this we may be renedied
4 "a second edition. To hepeople Of Vermont it
must be an invaluable work while those in other
) 9a'es who wish full and perfect account of her
character and history viii find it far superior TO
any work of the kind that has ever been publish
ea' We trust it may meet with favor in some
y 0esree at least commensurate with its worth.
taE Vocal GUIDE First Book for Schools and c,,ssss