Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-04-26
NATIONALINSTITETE

Bulletin of the Proceeding of The M
fiondt Institute, at The April Meeting of
1911. Washington, ID. e.. 1915, Svo.
The first portion of this work presents an
abstract of the Proceedings of the National
Institute for three years. from r. bruary, 1872
TO February 1915: and the membersan friends
OF the Institution have good cause tn colSra,-
ulate themselves upon the exhibition made in
the pages of the publication now before us. A
large portion Is occupied by an abridged state
mcnt of donations o. books, enguvings, maps,
minerals: birds, shells, fossils. antiquities, and
curious aud interesting objects of art and ma
ture from all parts of the world. as well as a
compend of u very extensive for, ign and do
nestle correspondence, much of which en-
braces the most eminen, names in science and
literature on both sides OF the Atlantic. The
following portions of the boot deserve special
mention:
Memorial of the National Institute to Con-
gress.
Memorial of the friends of science TO Con-
grcss ON behalf of the Institute.
Letter lrom.thc Hon. LEVI WOODBURY.. tina
distinguished President of the Institute.
Address of the Hon. RI. WALKER To the
meeting of the friends of science, held i'm
Washington in April last, under the auspices
of the Institute, 60.
MIR. WALKERS address displays a profound
acquaintance with science, and containsa full
and lucid review of American science from
the time oil Franklin's discoveries To the pres
ent day; the names of many of our countrymen
who have aided in elucidating and promoting
science and the arts receiving honorable men.
ton.
The second portion of tn, work embraces a
very succinct cou of the great meeting in
April last, with a sketcho the proceedings OF
the institute on that occasion. The friends OF
the Institute must deeply regret that the very
low state of its funds has prevented the pos
sibllity OF publishing a 1.-THE of the important
and valuable essays furnished on that occa-
sion. Indeed, the entire Bulletin. and the
proceedings of the April meeting, for the
reason just adverted to have been necessarily
so much condensed as TO afford but an imper-
iect ldeanpt the interest, which, under more
favorable circumstances, would have chara-
terized this publication.
Very large editions of the first and second
Bulletins of the Institute were circulated
gratuitously; but in the case of the present
volume, it has been found absolutely neces-
sary, IN consequence of %pccuniary embarrass-
ments, to solicit subscription, and donations.
With this view, resolutions were adopted by
the Institute for its distribution in the follow
ing manner.
OHC SoBN ~ Ut iuIillSilcu 10 every SuDSCTl-
Der who has paid or who shall pay, the sum
Of five dollars.
One copy to every society and institution in
the United States and foreign countries, i'm
correspondence with the National Institute.
One copy to every College in tina United
States. &c.
Tho remainder to be sold on account Of the
Institute, and under ats directions, with the
exception Of a certain number Of copies TO be
reserved for future use. 1t is hoped that the
corresponding members and the friends Of the
Institute viii send in THEW Subscriptions 10
this work in aid OF tile National, Institute.
BY the constitution the property of the
Institute is vested in, the Government of the
United States, which thus becomes the bona
fide owner; and ii was confidently expected
that Congress would have made an appropria-
ton at least sufficient to meet the current ex-
pcnses OF freight, preserving and keeping the
collections, books, &c. but as no fund exists
out of which these expenses can be paid, the
liberality of individual members becomes tax
ed to furnish the means to prevent valuable
articles from being lost to the Government,
which owns them.
One or two new scientific institutions are
much wanted at the seat of the Federal Gov
eminent, and as these would, from this great
contral point, extend their influence through
NV ~ UNIV diS Az ~ Nlt ONltHtt NUN
them would not long continue local. The
admirable union ola scientific and a popular
character, which distinguishes the plan of the
National Institute, renders ii precisely con
iormable to the 81 init of our republican insti-
t%utions. Much has already been done in
Washington the great political centre OF the
country. The Exploring Expedition was a
brilliant concel ton, hoEo able tot projectors
and rejecting the highest credit upon all con-
cerned in it. The Coast Survey is conducted
with great efficiency and scientific accuracy
by the distinguished and indefatigable BAcmE;
the National Observatory, under Lieut. MAURY,
is nearly completed; in sight of which the
well-iumished Observatory of Georgetown
College, under the Rev. JAMES CURLEY, pres
ent its dome against the sky i'll friendly ri
valry.
1T will be readily admitted that such Natio-
nal establishment as the Institute would be
come a source of advantage and pride TO our
country, but 1T now struggles against Difficult
ties and various dislieartening circumstances
and will continue to do so until the represen-
tatives of The people can b. induced to open a
channel by means of which the general. and
TOO frequently dormant talent and energy,
admitted TO exist among Us, may b. lostered
and wcll-dircCtcd.
me thlrd Bulletin terminates with "a c]opious
i'''N' '"ipio'lhH VI: names OF all who have
been III correspondence with the institute. or
who have made contributions, donations. and
.dcpositcs to its cabinet and library. compris-
iug upwards OF seven hundred names. alpha
b%ciically arranged. il also contains a list of
SOCIETIES at homr and abroad in correspon-
dcuce with the National Institute.
Editors throughout the United States friend
to The National Institute, are respectfully
requested TO give publicity TO this notice.
SPRING ~ ENGLAND-Passcneers by
the Great Western state that the season was
unusually cold when they left England. and
every thing very backward. IL was excessive
iy dry there, as here, and what was most sin
guldr, no rain had fallen i'm London Of any
consequence, for about six weeks prior totbe
departure Of the Great Western. Early in
March, there was a driving snow-storm in
London, such as they had not witnessed there
foT many years.
RAISING THE WIND-We learp ,b,,