The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-12-02

Swans OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. Can any
one tell us whether the philosophers Of the Anne
rican Institute have yet decided the small potato
question? What is the present state OF the ques-
ton with respect to the draught OF chimneys!
What is the last calculation relative to the guam
uty OF sacharlDe matter IN the bean stalk! Has
any additional ght been cast upon the habits o.
the pedculus? When may we reasonably expect
the report Of the committee on the best mode OF
operating on the sensibllities Of artists?
And yet what a useful patron of science and
the arts this Institute might be if its affairs
in proper hands. But how wofully it is now be-
uayng It's trust and perverting its means of useful
ness! At the very time when the managers
were discussing the everlasting small potato
question, or subjecting poor artists to annoy
ance and injury, by forcing them to offer their
services graiuitousy for the benefit OF the treasury
of the Institute, whose contents are appropriated
nobody knows how-there was lying in corner
of their lumber room, covered over with dust and
rubbish, the model of an instrument, the introduce
ton OF which to the public would be Of incalcula
BILE advantage TO the mathematician, the astrono-
mer, the navigator and the surveyor This remark
ably ingenious instrument is the result of the labor
Of lite It's authorize Jones-is an humble
ence, which divided amongst the savans OF the In
stute, would at all events, enlarge their intellect
as to enable them to grasp somewhat more
momentous subject than that of the small potato.
And yet, there the instrument lies in neglected
corner and there is likely to lie for all that the
Institute is likely to do in the way of bringing its
merits to light.
Any one with a soul above "small potato"
could not help being deeply moved if they had seen
the humble and diffdent inventor Of this ingenious
piece of mechanism enter that dark room, and
drag from its obscurity the box which contained
his treasure-the product of all the hours snatched
from sleep and labor during twenty years Of hum
Bile, unremittng toll. With what care the old
man unlocked it-how slowly and cautiously he
wiped away the dust which had settled on the va
yious parts of which the instrument is composed
how his eyes frightened as he put them together
with what eagerness, and yet with what modesty,
he pointed out its varied and its evident merits
what smile Of gratifed self-esteem lighted up
his paid but intelligent features as he hesitatingly
remarked that " Dr. Lardncr had see and praised
it"-how he sighed as he referred TO his poverty
and inability to introduce his instrument to the
world, and then, half-pettishly replaced it in the
box, and suddenly shutting down the lid, walked
away without speaking another word! 1t was a
scene for painter!
Now, if the Institute were properly managed-if
it were, indeed, what it ought to be, and
what it processes to be, the patron of
the arts and Sciences how nobly and how protita-
ably it might be employed in redeeming from
poverty and obscurty, such men as the author OF
this instrument! But the great misfortune is, that
III. thar Ia So
lion OF science, or the arts, or morality, or itera-
ture, or religion, apt to fall into the hands OF
unworthy individuals, who pervert them 10 their
"own base uses"-to their vanity, or ambition, or
cupidty, or personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in some shape
or form. And how does this happen? Why, the
answer is readily given. There are great numbers
in this community willing and able 10 sustain, by
pecuniary aid, scientific, literary, religious, bene
violent, and patriotic institutions; but there are
very few, comparatively, who are willing to devote
their personal efforts-thclr wisdom, sound sense,
honesty, judgment, care, and attention, to the sue
cess,ul carrying out of the object for which they
without hesitation give their dollars. The mass OF
the community are too lndoent, or too much oc-
cupied with politics, or too Indifferent or too much
afraid of "being bored" to ensure the proper
MANAGEMENT of these institutions. Thus they fall
into the hands of the designing, selfish and un-
scrupulous. Here is the source of the evil
Here is the root OF the small potato question I"
We have pointed out the disease. The remedy is
obvious. This is one OF The real practical reforms
wanted Will we get it? Yes-by and by We
don't think it quite as hopeless as police reform.
Theatrlcais, &c.
COMPLIMENT TO OLE BULL.-A superb and elegantly
embazoned medal pure gold to the great
Of the VIOLIN by the Musical Fund Society, of Phla
dephia, in acknowledgment Of his benevolent kindness
playing for the benefit Of that excellent association
It has side representation Of the head Of Apollo,
and the other these words Ole B. Bull In testi-
mony Of his talents and his generosity. 1874" These
words encircea by the name Musical Fund Society
Of Philadelphia" The medal is Of great weight and