The New York herald., 1844-12-19

American Institute.
Wednesday evening, Dec. ll-Subject, 7" Elec-
tvicity"-Mr. Mnes in the chair.
The manifest interest with which the public
have witnessed the various useful topics Of familiar
conversation, discussed at the Institute at their
weekly scientific meetings, predicts the utmost
success to a society which has the highest objects
of research and intellectual development Tor its
foundation, and the enlargement of human capacity
for its end Assuming, an uncontrovertlble fact,
that the grand aim OF education is 10 quality men
for the active pursuits of life, and to fit them for
becoming not only worthy, but useful members
OF the social circle of the human family-such ap-
pears to be the professed end of this valuable nur-
sery Of genius. Although the means adopted vary
with circumstances connected with the country,
still they harmonize with all the systems of other
countries, by fully recognising the principle OF pub
lie utility. "The Campus Martius" Of Rome,
however humiating to the ears of modern genius,
was, in fact, nothing less than Roman university
and to those who appreciate the beauties OF classic
literature, as well as the truths deduced from the
specuations OF science, the treasures Of the human
intellect are drawn forth, encouraged, f0stered
and exercised by institutions such as we enjoy
the operation OF In this country. The most elo-
quent OF English orators, the brightest germs cf
science that ever shed lusire upon the dull mono
tonous studies of natural philosophy, traced the first
Of %hch e S IS
miniature. The seedlings OF genius here gain
strength and grow under proper cultivatlon TO thai
stature which forms protecting shelter to the
scions which spring from their hbres To make any
remark upon the present laudable effort of the
Institute" to advance science in its most attrac-
tive forms, beyond the cordial encouragement to
perseverance and the best desire for it's success,
is far from object in reporting their really inter.
nYOCeedinpa W0 find M m
bers, men of elevated genius, deep study and prac-
teal usefulness-and we find amongst the visitors
many, asprants for knowledge, deduced from re-
SEARCH and impaired with an evident desire to ex-
tend to others the experience they have themselves
acquired. To enter into minute detail OF each
subject as proposed and argued in familiar and
conversational form, might, perhaps, discourage
the inquisitor without elucdating the ruth, and
create an embarrassment probably fatal to both
Perhaps, the most prudent course of a reporter
would be simply to state any new theory-any
fresh discovery in modern science that may be
ELECTED, and give the benefit Of that theory to the
public At the last meeting, the subject was
Electricity" and proved by DR.. Everett to be in
exhaustible in the various resources to which il
has been applied, and which future experience will
Of the powers Of electricity, their progress as
science advanced, and happily illustrated his
remarks by many historical facts, from period
prior TO Aristotle TO the present day: He illus
trated his theory Of one lightning rod being pre-.
fsrable to a bunch-by the system adopted on
the church in Lafayette Pace-and recon-
mended the adoption of several rough rods
erected in different sections OF the root placed al
right angles, and considered the more remote,
Dry pine he considered to be the best communica.
ton from the roof to the earth covered with paint
DR.. Everett, detailed the periods when electricity
was first adopted as a remedy for nervous and
other diseases, and illustrated his practice Of it in
many instances. An interesting conversation oc.
Cured upon the relative merits Of iron, brass, cop
per- silver, gold, lead and tin, when it was gener-
ally conceded that soft iron was the most ready
conductor of electricity. The Doctor argued that
electricity purified the blood as thunder purfes the
atmosphere, and proved, bv an experiment from
his electrical machine, that the electric fluid in its
natural state is cold and that the heat is produced
by the circulation Of the blood and fuids and not
from the heat of electricity. The effect produced
by the experiment upon those who tried, 1t, was
face: Mr.. Smith explained his theory Of the cleo.
,ric fluid passing through the wire. Mr.. Everett
put an electric spark through a card, which war
buried at both sides. Several documents were
read, proving the value Of lightning rods in build
rods erected with chain conductors, not one was
effected, while those not furnished with them, suf
fered materially L wasproved that two years ago
when the flag staff of the Chatham Theatre was
shiyered BY lightning, that the action Of the iulo
zinc roofing. Several highly interesting remarks
were made upon the subject, which is to be con
tinued upon the next evening Of discussion. Not
withstandlng the storm. the room was well filled
and we left DR.. Everett practising his electrica
powers upon several amateurs.
The continuation OF this important subject was
renewed yesterday evening--wnen Professor Map
presided-and although the discussion was lit
tie more than repetition Of the reasonings above
advanced, it was sufficiently interesting to induce
us to reserve the result for more convenient oc
casion.