The New York herald., 1844-11-22

arrive at our office early this morning.
The Olive Branch-Celebrati0n OF the Histo
rical society.
The proceedings attendant the celebrt
tion of the fortieth anniversary OF the Hls
torlcal Society, were calculated to excit
emotions OF the most gratifying and d,
lightul character. They discovered that the dIs
turbing elements which for months past had ag
tated the country, and stirred up the angry passion
Of men, had indeed been wholly dispersed; an
that peace, friendship, patriotism and phlosoph
are again exercising over the general heart, the IL
benign and humanlzing influence. In the churcl
to hear the orator, We saw many distinguished me
oil all political parties, assembled in perfect harmo
ny; and again, around the festive board,
Witnessed them in the full enjoyment of social cor
verse, and the most friendly and familiar ntel
course. This was indeed spectacle of deepes
interest. 1t presented to ALL in the most agreeabe
manner possible, the evidence of the return
peace and sobnety-that the olive branch had bet
extended by both parties-and that those who h.,
recently been engaged in fierce and unproftabl
conflict, were all ready to unite. and wert
united, in devotion 10 their duties as men, a
Americans, and as patriots
The occasion itself, leaving out of view the cir.
cumstances 10 which we have just alluded as il
vessing 1t with peculiar interest, was one of grea
Importance. We do not know any associatiot
which is more worthy Of general regard than tn
n storlcal Society OF this State. Its object-,,
rescue from oblivion the records Of the earlits,
struggles and riumphs Of civilization on this coni
nent, and 10 complete and continue with fulness
and accuracy the annals Of this great State-is or.
in W hIch ~ ,,,
must cordially sympaihize. The celebration, also
furnished very powerful inoeaiiv, TO ind,viduA
-eAsss.aa in a good cause. by reminding all, hov
much the welldlreced and honorable efforts OF
few energetic minds had accomplished. The of
spring OF only three tour worthy citizens. tnls
Society has, in the short space OF forty years, at
compllshed an amount of labor which would do NJ
dscredt to the efforts of throe or four generation,
instead of one. A vast amount Of invaluable ma
terials for the completion Of the history of this
State, and, indeed of the early settlements on this
continent, have been collected; and the organiza.
tion Of the Society has been rendered SO perfec,
and efficient that its future labors will be still more
widely extended, and prove still more fruitful
than heretofore.
Oh all the proceedings of the celebration, the
oration of Mr.. Broadhead was the most interesting
ed relative to the results Of the researches and
labors of the society's agent in Europe; and the
details furnished by Mr.. Brodhead presented many
curious and interesting facts, and considerable
quantity Of original information relative to the
early history of the State, and Its first settlement
by the Dutch. The agent Of the society must Ger
tany have employed himself with great diligence
and success, and improved the valuable opporun
IL IL.
ample materials collected by him are once properly
arranged and reduced to form in which they may
be generally accessible and ineligible, we have
no doubt that very great addition will be dis
covered to have been made to our historical tera-
ture. Even the slight and necessarily very desu-
tory sketch of his abors given by the agent Of the
society in his oration, furnished us with consider
able new and interesting historical information.
We gave yesterday an accurate and comprehensive
report OF this oratlon, such of the other
papers attempted, or, indeed, could have given.
The proceedings at the dinner were interesting
enough OF their kind; comprising good deal OF
eloquence, wit, literary taste, nonsense, philosophy,
and conviuiality. To these, also, we gave fitting
record; but the Grafton the principal feature Of
the occasion.
This celebration may properly be regarded as
the opening of the new literary and philosophical
season. Political excitement has wholly subsided.
The wise and the good and the intelligent who
were dragged into the whirlpool, and in its rapid
eddles, lost for season. with all the rest, their
usual moderation and good sense, have now got
back into the placid waters. The hungry Office
seekers-the idle hzsaroni who will not dig and
u beg are not ashamed-are now the only occu-
pants OF the lately hot-contested field; and there
they shrek, and quarrel, and jabber, like The foul
blrds OF prey that feast upon the manged bodies OF
the slain But the intelligence, virtue, and pa
triotsm of the country, are resumlng their swav
over the great mass of respectable citizens. We
nave no doubt that during the coming winter we
shall have the pleasure of recording and aiding
many interesting movements in literature and PM.
iosophy LIE tokens OF great literary revival
are numerous and significant. The press teens
with valuable works In all departments of hu-
man knowledge. The blue and yellow IL
teraure of the brothes is almost driven
out OF the field. A taste for the fine arts
Is daily becoming more general and more re-
lined. The science OF education is beginning to BE-
regarded indeed science. Our literature and
our civilization put at last some appearances O,
nationality. Intellect and genius begin to receive
homage. We look to the future. The public mind
Is awaking more generally to the conviction, tina,
humanity has nober ends to gain than the mer,
animal enjoyment ef the present Altogether W.
are encouraged TO believe that we see in all thi,
the dawnlns OF bright day, in which all the iniu-
ences that elevate, humanze, and refine the race,
will have unopposed and triumphant sway
In this great literary and philosophical movement,
The Historical Society will lead the way 10 this
e,y II soirees, or literary reunions, will concen.
usts much Of the talent and Intellectual distinction