The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-04


Thy task is harder much than his,
For thy learned America Is
Not only first found out by thee,
And rudely left 10 future industry,
But thy eloquence and thy WIT
Has planted, peopled, built and civilized it.'
The verse is rude, but the lesson is significant.
Columbus may set foot continent before UNI
seen by civilized man; Copernicus may sweep away
the cycles and epicycles of the Ptolemalc theory
and establish the Sun on his central throne; ana
Newton may demonstrate the wondrous law which
binds every member ofthe system-to attracted
and forever repelled-to that mysterious centre
But after all these great discoveries have been
made, there is not only room, there Is crying de-
mand great intellectual necessity for further pro-
gress. Other discoveries, other philosophers must
rise unfold the consequences of these prlmordlal
truths-to plant and people these scientific conti-
nents (if may be allowed to carry on CONVEYS
metaphor) with new experiments and observations;
to build them up with harmonious systems TO civil;
ize them into refined adaptation 10 the wants ana
service of moral beings.
This is the work left 10 the of the scientific
community, and no one can reasonably deny that
an association like ours is approved and effec-
tive part of that system of concerted action, by
which men advantageously unite themselves 10
accomplish desirable ends. And II IL most cheer
ing TO learn from the example OF the great discov-
erers, that the materials for carrying on their
work-the elements of farther discoyery--surround
Us on every side. There is error more gross
than that the knowledge of the great truths which
form the glory of modern science must be directly
sought from the depths OF the heavens above or oil
the abyss below. For if philosophical analysis ena-
bles u.s. in some degree 10 penetrate to the mystic
res of the earth we inhabit, of the mighty uni
of which II forms so small part, II Is by
virtue OF laws and principles exemphed as clearly
in the lightly spheres that are held IN their orbits by
the sun. The law of graytation was suggested to
Newton not by the magnificent spectacle OF a
comet drawn down TO the sun from the outskirts OF
the solar system, but by apple falling from
tree to the earth. The glass which hold in my
hand, with the water il contains, Is of itself richly
stored cabinet OF scientific truth. By the ancients
the water, believed to be simple substance, was
no doubt regarded chiefly the element designed
to moisten and fertilize the earth, TO quench the
thirst of man, to separate Greece from the lands
of the barbarians. By great progress OF art, II
came TO serve for the construction of a clepsydra
Modern science early took note of the expansive
powers of steam. The Marquis of Worcester, Sa-
very, and Newcomer attempted, and Bolton and
Watt perfected the machinery which has made the
vapor of boiling water the life-spring of modern
industry, and in the hands of our own Fulton con-
vertcd it into the great means of commerce and
communication around the globe.
Questioned by chemical science, the same linn
pid element is made 10 yield TO Cayendish and
Prestley the secret of its gaseous composition and
thus becomes the starting point OF no lnconsldera-
bic portion of our modern chemistry; teaching us
the outset the somewhat startling fact, that aqua
forts, and the common air breathe, consist OF
precisely the same ingredients, in proportions lit
evared. Physiology here takes her turn; and my
friend opposite, who favors me with an approving
SMILE prof Agassiz,) is ready to subject the cou-
tents OF the glass TO the creative focus OF his micro
scope and 10 demonstrate the organization, circu-
lation, and whole animal economy of orders of be-
ings, whose existence is apparent only under the
higher powers. Not content with the harvest o
science TO be reaped from the water, our worthy
President prof. Henry is thinking of the glass
To his eye il is tolerable cylinder. His mind runs
upon electricity, induction, and the relations OF
galvanism and magnetism, 10 the illustration OF
which he has himself materially contributed.
Here We reach the magnetic telegraph-the electric
clock-and their application to the measurement of
differences of longitude, and the observation and
record of celestial phenomena; apparatus 80
wonderful that, we have heard in the sections, a
child OF twelve years old, who sees II Tor the hrst
time, can observe and record the passage of star
over the wires of the micrometer, more correctly
than II could be done by the most skilfu observer
IN the ordinary way. Thus we carried back IL
more accurate observation of the heavens by that
electric spark which Franklin first drew from the
clouds.
But it is time SIR to think of performing the du-
" for which originally address you. Ii is
one of the pleasing incidents of the present
meeting of the association that they have been at
tended by many ladies. Many of the member
| of the association from distance have been &C
companied with their wives and daughters, who, TO
gethcr with the ladies of Cambridge have not onl'
| from day 10 day honored social table witt
| their company, but have given their dlgent atten
ton in the sections. The association has, under
stand, been favored in this way for the first time
| the present meeting. ann sure speak for all thos
who have taken part in the scientific transactions
| that they have been animated and encouraged by
| this unusual presence; and the perseyering attend
ancc of fair friends % the close Of the session
authorizes the hope that they have been gratife,
| listcncrs How much social meetings in TIN
| ball have been enlivcned by their presence nect
say. trust the example which they have set th'
| present year will be followed at the future meet
| ings of the association When we recall the name
Of Caroline Herschell, Of Mary Somerville-anC
may | not add of our own Maria Mitchelly-w'
| need no arguments 20 show that the cultivation o
| science Is by no means the exclusive mission O
man. The time may come, perhaps, when my sue
ccssor In the duty now perform will BE- called upoi
60 return the Acknowledgements of the association
not only 90 the ladies who have honored the meet
| ings by their presence but 10 those who have con
| trbuted TO their scientific transactions. | bel
| leave, sir, 10 submit the following motion
| Rssoired That tia thanks Of the American Asso
citation for the Advancement Of Science I've given &
the ladies who have honorcd the meetings Of the as
| ISOLATION with their attendance.
| The question this resolution put by th
| President, and IL was carried unanimously.
Il