New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-01-24
Photography. E.Inbodi-
rnent of Thoughs and Language with
the Raptdity of Lightning.

iient or InouShf and Language with
the Raptdity of Lightning.
Iohe Editor # The Tribune
notwithstanding the various speculations,
theories and hypothesis which have been ad-
vanced in relation to the ORIGIN and PROGRESS ofthe
art Of speech, all have agreed that Music, Ian.
gRage, Poetry and Painting were contemporaries.
for the best of reasons. They are superior innate
cndewments from the Creator to man, and existed
with him when he first trod the virgin Earth, and
when his voice was borne in holy melody on the
spicy breczes Of Eden until it was lost on the IN
termingling cadence Of the pure streams which
entwined their gentes courses through ground,
rendered sacred by a holy enchantment. But
In Adams fall snred al'
hence the necessity ofhuman invention. We do
not infer that those noble feelings of our nature
have ever been entirely eradcated from the re-
cesses of the soul even at its darkest period, or
that the art CT speech was first the result of a
conventional arrangement, as some contend: for
how, VIC ask, was it possible to call men together
to discuss question without the agency of some
language?
But as there have been many opinions already
printed upon this sube | ought perhaps to
apologize for assuming the position of an umpire
in question which is obscured behind the clouds
OF six thousand years; and all history-both an
Gent and modern-presents US but vague, specu-
latlve and contradictory conclusions with refer
to the origin, structure, and first methods of
recording language, ideas and erentS; and the
light that modern antlquarlans have as yet been
able to throw upon this subject, presents us with
but conglomerated mass Of precious gems iossl
fInnr,,
of time rubbed off to dazzle the eyes of the spec
ulative and curious, and to feed the laudable avid
itv of the pathological and philosophical researcher
or to use the language of Bryant these sub
lects assume the fantastic forms of an evening
cloud; we seem to descry mountains, and castles,
and gigantic appearances, but while we gaze the
forms die away and are lost in gloom and uncer-
tainty.' | only ask you therefore, Mr.. Editor,
for a small space in your valuable journal to pre-
sent your readers with mere prelude 10 such
tangible facts as led me TO present TO the learned
world a science (as well as an art which has
met their most enthusiastic appreciation, and
which is about to assume It's rank IN the great
constellation Of intellectual mprovements-nor
is it too much to say that among the great varle-
ty of human pursuits there is no science or art
so highly calculated to promote fertility OF mind,
the fruits Of genius, refinement of taste, and
intelligence generally knowledge of the
recently perfected science, the name OF which Is
so appropriate to the heading of this commuDl-
cation.
But as it is my special object to present the
particulars in practical manner before the intel
ligence of New Yorll this evening, | refrain on
the present occasion from ndulglng in my enthu-
sasm by dwelling upon subject which has oc
cupled my attention and interchangeable industry
for many years; suffice it to say that the merits
of my labors and the practical utility to the every
day purposes of life, will be better understood al
ter having seen the whole matter clucldated and
the mOdaS operanai fully erplnined- 1t viii tlIen
be admitted, that bythis gentecl accomplishment
TO either "a gentleman or a LADY, that the long
sought desideratum is obtained, that by this beau
tiluI intellectual luxury the brightest RuShes from
the denser powers Of Mought, sentiment and feel
mo are caught and secured N all their original
pristine colors and yividness, and preserved for
use IN after life. il is a facilitating 'iocomofire'
which while its operation secures the electric
fire, increases asefeXisting power and enables It's
posscssor 10 ascend the inclined plane to the
Apprentices of his hopes, and keep pace with the
intelligence of the age N which he iyes.s IN short,
know that this art will seem to be indispensable
TO every one who has soul 10 think, enlarge and
enrich True, sir, there are those who are con-
tent with the SIX animal passions and one idea
made up Of a variety OF small PARTICLES OF just
such branches OF intelligence rs Conduce TO the
qualification OF those SiT, VIZ catch en-, h0Ld EN-,
cut, driak Sleep die, and there Is no more to De
remembered than if monkey had died. These
of course are always content to tread the hard
beaten track and treat every thing that does not
happen to range within the crcunscribed limits
Of their cramped, cute, crude, cranlums, with
suen contempt. Such one may consider him.
self inferior TO the animal endOlred with lnstnctto
carry out the purposes for which he was created
iadcpendent of education. The case is different
with Man. Heis sent into the world the most help
less Of all the rest of the animal creation and most
dependent upon such accidental circumstances
as the external world may chance to present.
But he is created with susceptlblltles to go on
al mtinitum III the pursuit of knowled ge-but his
course must be progressive and the more or less
so according to the facilities presented hlm-and
even with every possible means-aiter the fullest
growth of the most gigantic mind, the wlsest
philosopher is but child lost IN world or mys
teries, to fathom which he diligently Climbs and
Cropes, he digs and vany strives to penetrate,
but is at last thrown back mortified that he
knows so little in comparison to what Is lett TO
learn repeat then tina: he needs every possible
facility. 1t said that at thirty man suspects MN
self a fool, knows it at torty,' &c. And having
been little suspicious long time ago that Dame
Nature out of the profuson of her gifts had dealt
somewhat SparingIy with me saw the necessity
andhave been as industrious most men, and alter
lnnch labor have brought before the literary world
facilitating locomotive that has met their ap-
probation-and | beg leave to avail myself OF
this occasion to return my heartfelt thanks Tor the
voluntary encomiums with which my arrival IN
New York was greeted III August last, when