The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-17

censciences are so flexible, that we can compare
them to nothing better than the patent elash
India rubber door springs.
The Charter Election.
The dirty street party having elected their no.
minating committees, have turned their atten-
ton to the streets, which their army of sweepers
are cleaning with wonderful alacrity. From pre-
ssnt appearances. we think they will have finish
ed them about the first day of April, so that they
may be able to exhibit them clean onoe, at all
events, during their administration.
The wings are brushing up their old amor for
the combat, and seem determined not to allow
the dirty streeters to have every thing their own
way. They will hold their elections for nominal
ting committees on Tuesday next.
The suggestion that we made few days since,
that the interests of the city would be much
better attended to if our municipal govern
ment were like our State government, equally
balanced by the two parties, has been received
with much favor by the honest portion OF
both, and by all the taxpayers, who have
suffered so grieveusly under the management
of both the wings and democrats. We are
confident that the happest results would flow
from such state of things. At all events it is
well worth trial. We cannot lose by it, for if Ell
Their the wings or democrats should be elected to
both boards, we shall suffer for another year as
we have for years past
We should be very sorry to see any member of
the present board reelected. They don't keep
the city clean and in good order.
CHEMISTRY AND ITS PRoaRKss-The present
condition Of the science of chemistry is one Of
the proofs of the marvellous increase of know
I,lv Nd lv
Tor it is an undoubted fact that all the strikingy
wonderful Improvements in the various arts and
manufactures, are entirely owing to the more per-
feet adoption of the various resources of chemis-
try, and the collateral natural sciences.
new field, however, has lately been opened
to the scrutiny of the philosopher, in tho matter
OF organic chemistry, or the chemistry OF orga-
nized substances. Up to within few years past
researches were confined to the various gases,
metals, earths, and the different combinations into
which they enter; now, however, the most rapid
advances are being made in the investigation of
the chemical properties of the organized tissues
of animals, plants, &c, the most important ply
siological truths have been deduced, and the che
mistry OF man has been much elucidated. The
great European chemist Liebig, has kndled a
new flame, and from the truths which his
and other great minds both in Europe
and America have arrived at, there is no
doubt but that in the course Of a few years much
that has hitherto been a mystery as regards the
different animal functions Of the human body,
will become clear and lucid. The result of this
will be to set the theory and treatment of various
diseases that are now looked on iucurable, or
a totally new basis, and we need not despair O
yet being able to arrive at certain method Of re-
moving consumption, cancer, or any of those or
ganic diseases which have, rs yet, defed the skill
of the physician.
The nervous system, though, is as much puz
ale as over it was; morbid anatomy shows US tina
the process Of nutrition proceeds in those parts o
the body where the nerves, both OF sensation an,
motion, are paralyzed exactly in the same wa,
a. in other parts where these nerves are in thei
natural condition; and of the higher phenomen,
of mental existence, all that science knows O
them is, that they are present. For instance-w,
know exactly the mechanism OF the eye, blu
neither anatomy or chemistry will ever explain
how the rays Of light act on consciousness tt
produce vision. The consequence of this wan
Of knowledge is, that the treatment and nature Of
diseases fthe nervous system is absolutely seal.
ed book Still it is to be hoped that even this class
of functions will have some light thrown on them
by the great minds now at work. Sir Charles
Bell by his discoveries, advanced our knowledge
of them from an apparently hopeless darkness |;
and we may, therefore, justly hope, that some
great mind will be able to make further advance
from where he stopped.
In the meantime it is gratifying to know, that
America is not idle in her endeavors all the
medical colleges in the country now include q
knowledge of the actual state OF physiological
and animal chemistry in their courses of instruc
ton, and among the many hundred active younf
minds which they annually send forth, we maj
reasonably hope that some will prove pillars Q
strength in the cause of scientific in JURY ano
discovery.
The REMAINS OF THE BRAvK.-The funera
ceremonies of the gallant captains Morris
Field and Williams, are now over, as we'll il
New York, as in Albany and Buffalo. We hav
carefully read the accounts ofthose ceremonies il
all OF those cities, but we have not seen a singh
syllable complimentary to Messrs. Johnson an
Lowden, owners of the packet ship Auburn
which conveyed the remains from New Orlean
10 this city, to Captain Durfey, her polite nn'
attentive captain. The remains, and the gentle
men in charge Of them, were conveyed here fire.,
of expense, and not even 4 thank ee has been ten
dered to either the captain or owners, that W,
have seen, in any Of the proceedings or papers
This is certainly piece of ingratitude that W,
would not have expected.
MAIL ARRANoKMENr.-We learn that the sum
Iuer arrang ement for the great Southern mai
has gone into operation. Thus the mai
that leaves New York at a P. NJ, also leave
Philadelphia at 10 P. M, and Baltimore at 81 A
NJ for Washinpton and thenca an To Nau Or