The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-21
New York Historical Society.


Yesterday evening" the forty nth anniversary Of this
literary and distinguished society, was celebrated at
he rooms the society and by the delivery of the
usual annual grafton The Hon. Luther Bradish,
Acting President Of tbs society since the decease Of the
Hon Albert Gslatin, vas the orator Of the evening
At about o'clock, the rooms Of the society and the
chapel crowded with large assemblage Of highly
respectable persons with large proportion OF ladies'
While the company was waiting In tbs rooms to pro-
where the Grafton was to be delivered a sudden buz
and whispering vas raised among the crowd; and IL
wss generally said that the Hon. Henry Clay who, it
was well knoxn was In to would favor the company
with his presence among them this evening
While the crosd was in this state of expectation,
side door opened aud MIR. Clay entered. He was led
by friend, who accompanied him to the Presidents
chair, when DIR. De~itt, who occupied IL for the time
being, seeing the Western statesman approach, ad
ss-The Historical Society welcomes In Its midst
with real and unfeigped satisfaction one whose name
and fame Is boporsbly and 30 intimately connected
during long course OF years with the history Of our
elucdsts sns unfold the complicated labyrinth Of past
times II 10 ray Of light upon the present, which Is
most grateful TO us all to be honorsd with your pre-
ssnce. cir among us this evening
Mir. Cav instantly REPLIED am, indeed sir, truly
grateful to you aud TO the society and to all the re-
spectacle persons whom around me- for this unex
pscted honor, aud the k,ndpess with which you have
received me. I came simply here TO take my seat
among you with Others and really prepared to
your fattering words and kind sslutstion am, sir,
somewhat acquainted with the New York Historical
Society and particularly has the honor OF being In
timatsy acquainted With it's late President His loss
TO you 4 great indeed and can deeply sympsthils
with you In that mourDful event He was mso, sir,
than whom may say have seldom, II ever, known a
better Sir thank you for the kindness shown to me
on this occasion and will venture TO express the hope
thai your labors from which profess TO have derived
great portion both Of pleasure and instruction, may
continue ever be directed to the benent Of aau.
Kind at larg. and that vhis you succeed in casting
light upon the past you may at the time, enable
to understand and TO perform better our duties for
Nit clay was evidently taken by surprise, on enter
ine at aide door aud himself suddenly In front Of
siarge and dense crowd OF people. Ills appearance
created deep interest and his presence was hailed
with ardent admiration we might say venerstion
He appeared out Of breath and fsgued, and spoke In
The company then proceeded 10 the University
chapel DR. Milledoler delivered prayer in which be
referred with much feeling to the honorable guest who
was present. -
The Hon LurHrR Bsspisu, Acting President Of the
Society then arose aud delivered the annual
This is the 45th anniversary Of this society IL may
be well to pause and look back upon the past uui-
bers who belonged this society. which was an
of their affections have passed away The oolsc. OF
societies like this IL usefulness To gather mp the re-
cords q the past is duty incumbent on US n
gives the benest Of others experiences. lie
chronicler OF the tunes who docs not draw instruc.
tiOn from events sepsrs,e history but psrIod,
ont BY the counsel Of the Almighty. viewed Ia
this light, the actions Of people lose their Isolated
hour his destiny linked to the throne OF the Saviour
Of the world. History gives mere discrepancies TO an
aggregate whole In viewing that whole II IL gratifying
10 behold the progress which has been made in the
ameljoration OF mankind I'M age In which we live u
vell called one of aeveiopement Physically, intelsc
finally and morally condered our progress in the last
one hundred years 10 moot striking. In every depart
nent 81 knowledge the progress has been most crafty
ing Natural philosophy, geology. astronomy, hsv'
sssh disolosed new wonders. rnysiology has MADE
great advances In mental philosophy. But the pur
suits Of Industry exhibit the greatest advances, In
a.t century 10 only distinguished for an increase
hrovledge but also tor its diffusion IL y not NOS
consped to the cloiste and the schools, but IL ma
snread among the people. The schoolmaster y
abroad The general bind is nov cultivstedi TINS
psvs subject Of public isterest Let Us hope IN
time Is not far distant when each child 10 our country
will share all the benefits of education Tne tenien
si.s 81 the eye are prsctical aud utittartsn rms
shown IN practical life and the personsi dement's
obtain from science Science not only produces good
n ALEC mitisstes evil, witness the improvemens y
medicine ana surgery. Bot Improvement mas also es
tended to things ofnamtDtal. witness tue hne 49,
Ivsrything indicates higher intellectual state OF IN
world Moral sdvsucemeDt has also been m ,dsi vi
ness our benevoltnt institutions Here Gov brsais
went into pleasing d.taur higher mOrahty reg,
lstes the conduct Of indi siduns aud OF nations
has mitgaied the scourge OF var, We have also mao
progress In religion [tiere Mr. vent into partie'
isrs1 We havs net been sstiebed Sith Improve
ourselves have saded our Efforts to the dal
places Of the abd reclaimed barbarous and rags
nations from their d.prsdsticn. The Pagan mardere