New-York daily tribune., 1843-04-04


credit of which of course is due himself and the
Legislature of Massachusetts; and l thisk may
without Improperly, claim for the government of
that little State (for with population not much
exceeding seven hundred thousand, it must of
course deserve that name, in comparison even with
the smallest of the leading States Of Europe,) the
credit OF having eynced great liberai,y in the en-
couragenent of science, particularly that branch of
it, TO which yoGr Society is devoted.
The Geological Survey of Massachusetts was
originally projected, IN connection with the con-
s,tuc,ion OF Map of the State. The process of
| triangulation was carried on at great public ex-
pense, for several years, and with it most abo-
rious and extensive series OF astronomical observ
ations was executed. From these materials Map
| of Massachusetts has been prepared, and is now,
| am informed, in the hands of the engraver
trust in due seasou it will reach the hands of men
of science abroad, and furnish new proof CT the
disposition of the Legislature Of Massachusetts to
encourage these interesting and important re-
searches. In addition to the Geological Survey
and the Map Of the Commonwealth, highly in
teiligent commission has been employed on the 10.
rest trees, the general Botany and Zoology OF
Massachusetts in all It's branchesi and report
has, at the same time, been made on the Agricui-
country.
ought perhaps to apologize for dwelling 50 long
on these TOPICS after the handsome manner in
which you, sir, as well as Mr.. Lyel and your late
President, in bis instructive discourse this morn
ing, were pleased to speak on the subject of the
general cultivation Of science, and particularly OF
Geological Science in the United States. Mr. Lyeli
has done but justice tie zeal and lberalty shewn
by the State. visited by him, some proof OF which
is before the British public, especially In the
volumes Of the noble publication now in progress,
containing the results of the scientific surveys OF
New Y York. These researches are 30. confined to
the old ard long settled States on the Atlantic
coast. Nc, sir; If you any OF your dstin-
guistled associates visit the newest OF this
! new family Of republics, he would find that MS
fame aod taste for the science you cultivate had
preceded him. He would every where End, that
amidst all the Inconvenience END under all the
difficulties which attend literary and scientific pur-
sucs in new countrieo, not a few have made them
selves familiar with the latest results of European
inquiry aud explored the phenomena around
them, under the ights thrown upon Geology by
the most recent foreign discoveries.
Mr.. hyel has told you something, sir, OF the
reception which he met with perscnel!y irorn the
geologists of America; but there is one portion OF
what befeI him in the United States, which his
modesty hae not allowed you to learn from him.
a few years since, a young Bos;onian who had in
! creased handsome inherited property by the sue
cesslul pursuit of commerce, Termed the design OF
founding an institution in his native city for
of lectures on the most important branches OF
moral and nsturel science. This generous project
was ma.ured and consunmated, during en- extern
Sive tour in Europe and the East His last teste
mentary dispositions were made in state of de-
Tt - ,,I
on his way TO India, where he died. The ample
funds which he bequeathed for the purpose above
mentioned, have been applied with great judgment
by the kinsSnan, to whom, the sole trustee, the
execution OF this important trust was conhded, and
the Lowell Institute is now in the ourh year of most
successful operation. Classes large as were
ever perhGps assembled, have, from the first, at
tended the courses of lectures delivered on this
foundation.
It was before this Institution, that MIR. Lyell
was invited to deliver course of lectures on
Geology. The lecture room, sir, is perhaps as
large apartment as was ever before apPrupria-
ted to such purpose, having been built as thea
ire; and this immense hall, orchestra, parterre,
ond boxes, from the stage TO the root was, as
am informed, Cor not myself then in the
coun,ry) regularly filed by Mr.. Lyell's audiences
from which as many were necessarily eXciud-
ed for want of room.
My distinguished colleague, the French Em-
bsssador, (the Count de Ste Aulaire,) in the very
h1nd some remarks with which he has just favored
the company in his native language, has cstab-
i,hed the connection between the duties of our Of
fetal station and those of literary and scientific
men. He has told the company that in the Pc
culiar province Of foreign minister to cultivate
the relations of peace between friendly States, he
hus no coadju,or more efficient than the enlight-
ened man of science engaged in those studies
which have common interest for all mankind.
Of no science this just remark be more en-
pha,cally made than of that which is the peculiar
object of your abors; for there is no one where
comparison of facts, as they exist in diifercnt and
distant countries, is necessary; and where the
final results are drawn in such magnificent spaces
on the surface of the globe. What an illustration
of this TRUTH if illustration be necessary, con-
tanned in the discourse of your learned eS-Presi-
dent this morning! In speaking of those extraor-
dinery footnarks described by Professor Hitch
cock, and TO which that eminent geologist has
given the name of Ornithichnity, MIR. Murchison,
in doing the fullest justice to the abors of Protes-
sor H., said that he hmsef had long hestated in
admitting that these footprints belonged to an ami
NAL of an ornitholog gcsl character. He was reluc-
tant in opposition TO the analogy of the science,
recognize the traces of such an animal in the form
alton in which these marks are found. And how
did he overcome these doubts ? By calling com.
paratve anatomy TO his add by evokipg a wit
ness, if l may SO express myself, from Western
Australia by stretching out The wand of science
over half the globe, and conuring up from beneath
the soil of New Zealand monstrous Ostrich De-
inornis | think he called him. TO authenticate the
not less monstrous oot-marks in the red sand stone
on the banks of Connecticut River How beauti-
full, sir this mutual scientific dependence of re-
NOTES, countries and the different branches of IN