The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-05-26

down our streets like a river without there
be hrst built reservoir, from which those
streams shall issue. Ii is an error 10 suppose
that the accumulation ofthe stores of existing
learning the amassing Of the records of in
tellectual action, does not tend also TO in
crease knowledge. What is there new in
the material world, except by extraction
or combination? How are new sub
stanced formed, or the stock of given Sob
stance increased, by the chemistry of nature
or OF art2 BY new combinations or decom-
positions Unknown and Pre-exisIing elements.
Inc products OF the experimental or manu.
| iaciurlng laboratory are no new creations
out Their elements are first extracted ty the
decomposition OF old compounds, and then
recpmblned in new forms. Thus il II also in
some degree, with immaterial products of the
human mind; but there is difference; know
ledge grows not alone by the extraction and
combination. but unlike the dead matter with
which chemesiry deals, il is itself ore anic
living, productive. There is moreover, MS
| have already limited. between all branchcs
of knowledge and oflberal art, whether srec-
ulative or experimental, such an indisfoIu-
BILE bond, such relation Of iDterdependence,
that you cannot advance any one without al
J the same time promoting all others. The
pioneer in every walk of science strikes out
sparks, tina! not only guide his own researches
but illuminate also the paths OF those tupd
him; though they may be laboriBg in quite
other directions. Examples OF this kind
might be multiplied without end. but Will
content myself with an illustration or Two
form science which deals only in abstract
numbers and imaginary quantities, and utter
ly REJECTS experiment and observation as tests
truth or as inst menis OF its discovCry.-
Who would have supros cd that the intervals
OF the clatonle scale in muse were capable &C
exact rpp ic tiirn, & their relations Of rItcise
| ascerainfhent by numerical GuaniiIt So
Who would have expected thai PURE miIhe-
mates would have been appeal, 10 10 de-
eide between the rival claims ofthc corrrscu-
lar and undulatory theories OF light 10 asccr-
tain the proportions and relations OF clt n.en-
tary bodies not nppreciable by any of the sen
SEES, in chemical combinations; or rs nv ac-
complished friend from South Carolina (Mr.
Holmes) suggests, that the auihenici'I Ola
disputed text in the scriptures would he de-
termned by an algebraical iheuren p
What do not astronomy, navigation civil en-
cheering, practical mechanics. and all tie
exI erlmenlal sciences, owe 10 this one sci
ence, which in lis Investigations appeals 10
no empircism, calls in the aid of none ofthe
senses: none Of the machinery of art UT oil ma
ture?
But, independent of this particular roint.
the aid which the physical sciences may cx-
J pect TO derive from mere speculative knoaI-
edge, should hope that at this lime and this
place, one might safely venture a plea IN he
half Of all the higher knowledge which SCI
yes 10 humanze, 10 refine, 10 elevate. 10
make men more deeply wise, better. less
throughtful Of material interests and more re-
gardiul for eternal truths. And let il not lie
said shat our own brief history proves dat
great libraries are superfuous because will
out item we have produced statesmen. civil
ians, orators, and jurirprudenis, no wise ii:-
teror 10 the ablesl OF their European coniCn,-
poraries Without dwelling upon slimuious
Of popular institutions and tile stirring ex-
cltement of our revolutionary and later his
tory. which have fended TO encourage lie
developemeni of this species of talent, the
objection is sufficiently answered by saving
that, IN the case OF most The American states
men lheRcvoluio~ rs well asmany later
date, private wealth has supplied the place
Of public provisions for the attainment of
knowledge. In the period of our colonial
history, the sons of wealthy families were
olien educated in the bcsl schools OF Europe
ana the Trainers OF our Constitution were
chiefly men Of high education and cIe-
giant atiaIEnenis. Jefferson, whose writings
are canonlcal with the Democracy, had the
best private library in America, and was "A
man OF muliilarioue, il not of profound learn
ing. The Stale papers Of That remarkable
era are with few exceptions obviously
productions Of men rot merely of inspired
genius or OF patient thought. bat of Iaborinus
acquisition, and they are full not Of that
cheap learning which is proved by the PC
Il. a.. L. i. =
which Is the uueqvocal result of extensive
reading and dilligent research. Who have
been the men in all ages, that have rxercis-
ed the wisest and most permanent influence
both on the moral and physical well being
of man? The spirit Of the crusdes was rous-
el by the preaching of thoughtful soli:arv
Columbus was a learned scholar, and Luther
but studious monk. Watt, the great i'm
proven oil steam engine, was man Of Gu
riOus and reconcile learning. Bonaparie was
carefully educated al the school of Rricnue
and was through life Il liberal patron Of learn
and the arts The glorious rebellion of l649
was the work Of men of the closet; and
Milton, who 10 our shame is less known a.
mong us by his prose Than by his poetry.
was its apostle. Our own Independence was
declared and mainlaied by scholars. and MI
men know thai the French revolution had lis
germ i'll writings OF the Encyclopedias All
men, in fact, VINO have left their Impress for
ages, have spent Some part Of their lives
in scholastic retirement. Ii is this very point
the maintainence Of principles discovered
and defended by men prepared fo- that ser
vice by severe discipline and laborous study
that SO strikingly distinguishes the English
rebellion Of 1919 and our own Revolution
from most other discretionary movements,
and particularly from the French revolution.
) The English and American statesmen of
those two periods were conlending for truths,
the French atheists and philosophers for IN
terests; the former sought TO learn their d.
Ties; The latter concerned themselves only a.
bout their rights; Anglo Saxon was nspir-
ed by principle, the Gaul was insiigated by
passion.
f The principles of American liberty, which
education and habit have rendered so IA
miIiar TO us, that we fancy them infuitve or