The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-11-23

/ THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION AND
THEIR LEcTUREs.--The young men of this associa-
lion number about 5000. They are split into two
factions, Of which desires to establish several
courses of lectures upon literary and scientific sub
jects plan which the other party have charac-
terized proposition to convert the association
into Merchants College," which, if successful
ly carried out, should be located, as think,
somewhere in the neighborhood of Hanover square.
A large majority of these young men, as we under
stand, are yet in their minority, and many OF them
mere boys of II or Is years of age, who cannot by
any possibility have yet acquired even the rudi-
ments of mercantile business Now what have
these boys to do with lectures upon abstruse and
remote sciences in no way connected with Their
profession? Take their first lecture, for example,
the other evening at the Tabernacle, by the Rev.
| Geo. Putnam upon "Light." So far as demon
strated facts concerned, MIR. Putnam told them
nothing which has not, for ages we had almost
said, been taught in our common schools to chill
dren ten years of age and as TO vague theoretical
specuations upon the undiscovered nature of light,
whether it be an emanaton from the luminous
| body or whether it be some motion Of some subtle
and imponderabe ether pervading all space, or
whether it be half spirit, and half matter,
a sort of connecting ''bridge" between matter and
sprit-pray what have these specuations to do with
the price of cotton, flour, silk, and tobacco? Could
John Jacob Aston have more easily detected the
quality of his furs, bought them cheaper, or sold
them at higher prices in consequence either OF his
knowledge or his ignorance of these speculations
upon the unknown nature of light? What non
sense
The fact is, the business of New York merchant
is profession abundantly sufficient of itself alone
to engross all the time and all the talents, and all
the energies, and enterprise of every clerk no mat
ter how 'smart" he may be, who undertakes 1t.
And we look upon these lectures, Ito use the Ian
guage of the present Board of Directors of the Asso
citation in their late published report) ''not only
impracticable and inexpedient but injudlcious and
mischievous' -"as conflicting with the interests of
their employers'-and "meriting censure and con-
demnation." nylectures, therefore, which divert
their attention from Gas the report says)'a proper
regard to their main VOCATION, must and will be
considered as highly preudicial both to them and
their employers Ifby these lectures these young
clerks "are led" 1--WE quote again from their own
repor to deviate from the straight line of business
affairs, the institution will come to be consd
cred thing of doubtful utility, and, consequently
much if not all the aid and countenance now af
forded them by merchants, will be entirely with
drawn Such state of things no one could desire,
and certainly every one would deprecate."
| DIR. GARDNER's INTRODUCTORY LECTURE.-On
Monday evening this gentleman delivered his first
| lecture at the University before an audience of
| highly influential persons.
| The subject was the pecuariites ofvegetation in
different climates these he showed were intimate
1 l..l.. L..
hat the heat which animates living bodies is der-
we'd exclusively from the Sun, for that if any differ
ence of temperature existed on the earth's surface
| in consequences of its condition it would be made
evident by change IN the length of the day after a
| short period of time
He concluded with some interesting remarks on
the connection betweC The social and intellectual
| condition of man, and ne distribution of plants
In the frigid zone man mas no command over vege
| tation he cannot collect seed to secure himself
and fish for food This occupies all his time, and
intellectual cultivation becomes impossible.
In temperate, regions the soil yields only when
titled with skill-lts natural products are Incapable
| are the produce of vegetables improved by art
The necessity for agricultural implements calls for
science to extract from brittle ores the malleable
| channels lays the foundation of the social arts
Property accumulates, and laws arise for its pre-
| servatlon. The requlsltion OF abundant vegetable
1000 docs require the amount OF time devoted
TO the chase, and there remains leisure to cultivate
| the mind, stimulated into activity by agriculture.
the Sciences and commerce. All great men have
been the inhabitants of this region
In the torrid zone, the palm, banana bread fruit
and numerous other plants furnish abundant food
without cultivation; hence amongst the aborlgnes
agriculture is unknown. From freedom of occupa.
| ton has arisen the strong animal propenslties, and
feeble intellect which characterize this race OF
men.
The lecture produced the most favorable impress
sion of the talents of the speaker, it lucid free
| from technicalities and methodcal. We take
pleasure In calling public attention to this interest
| ing course. The illustrations consisted of beau-
fnl drawings and tasteful display of rare plants
| The second lecture on the life of plants is next
Monday, at half past seven o'clock.
NrBLo's-Messrs. Rockwell and Stone began
their first representations last night most suspicious
ly. The house was crowded in every part, and the
whole company were favoraby received. Mr.
Stone, the North American Indian, was the
great feature of the evening-the dresses and ac-
coutremens eclipse all former equestrian appoint
ments, and the new arena is destined to be the ia
shonable winter resort. We were agreeably dis
appointed to find the theatre so comfortably
warm, the new lobbies and enclosures and the APP
proaches to the boxes tend greatly 10 the comfort
of the audience. Every person with whom
conversed expressed themselves highly delighted
| and sanguine of the continued success of the
dertaking.
| PARK-This house will be filled tonight to wit
ness the debut of Madame Chit Damoreau and
Monsieur Artot-a musical event which has excl
ted the most intense interest in fashionable circles
THEATRICAL EyTERPRIzE.-T never firing
manager of the Chatham Theatre, on learning that
rival house had procured the services of Boston,
in conjunction with Philadelphia author to
dramatze the famous Mysteries of Paris, cast him
self about to see if New York could not afford the
requisite talent an author On Saturday last II
F. Greeley, Esq, undertook the task, and on Tues
day morning was rehe arsed a most snlend;d dram.