The New York herald., 1850-12-03

The winter course of lectures, concerts, and dra-
matte readings before the members of the Brooklyn
Institute, commenced on Wednesday evening at halt
past o'clock, the opening lecture being gveno by T.
P.Whipple, of Boston. The lecture was well attend
ed the room being nearly filled. The lecturer com.
menced by saying that the laws and institutions,
arts and sciences, commerce and literature OF
country were but indications of the national mind.
The great men of country are also exponens Of
the national mind. Pericles, Scpio, and Chatham,
each presented images of Greece, Rene, and Eng
land, the countries that produced them. Only
great nations can produce great men, for great
minds require great stimulants to call them into
Iion. We speak Of a Greek, a Roman and an
English mind let us inquire whether there is an
American mind-and what are its characteristics
and tendencies, what inspiration and direction it
gives TO the Individual mind We cannot say that
there is an American mind in the same sense that
there was Greek, and Roman mind, and that
there is now an English mind. The utmost that
can be asserted is that the Plymouth Pilgrims and
Virginian cavaliers have blended into one national
mind, which mind possesses the power OF assimila-
non, process that is constantly going forward.
Al present we can hardly speak of more than ten
dencies and the clash of elements Ii is modit-
cation OF the English Saxon element, which alb
serbs all others, and the Celt and the Dane, and
the men OF other races only exist here as they are
modified by it; But the absorbing force is also
mooned itself by what II absorbs. Every foreign
er that comes into this country is not mere alb
stract addition to the population, but is element
INFUSED into the vital blood OF the country, produc-
ing either injury COED. Thus transforma-
ton is gradually wrought, which we call
change of sentiment. The American mind
in composite mind-composite in the of
assimilation, and net mere. aggregation There
were two elements orginally--thoss who came
here TO repair their estate, and those who were
driven here by ecclesiastical persecution. This
last English puritanism, was by far the strongest
ali Call ehara
persistence, and practical skill IL moulded all
things to itself, Till at length it has become gradu
ally modified by the infusion of elements from
other nations; so that, while the Yankee is not
fashioned after the pattern of any other naton he
has a touch of them ala power to accommodate
himself TO them all A farmer or mechanic in
New England, he is Sam Slick in the provinces,
and he assumes Protean shape under every new
phase Of circumstances Let him drop down from
the clouds into Italy Siberia, he will be equally
successful, and the Inhabitants will cry out,
"Behold the smartest man in creation" (Laugh-
ter and cheers.) There is not time to discuss
the question how this characteristic of the
American mind had its root in unaccommodating
puriianism IL may be observed, however, that
one side of the puritan's mind was left open. In
religion il was bound by authority, and had no
federation or iberality. In politics it auda-
ciousy bold. IL had no equal IN European politics,
and its freedom gradually undermined despotic
theology. Bat we have now to do with the ma
onal mind il is and il is likely 10 be, rather
than with the past. The two grand characteristics
W
and impressbiiiy. Work is the test. Not literary
work for literature is only fraction of American
intelligence; but the application OF practical skill
TO the business of life. If the intellectual ability
possessed by first rate merchants, and applied to
the pursuit Of money making, were directed to lite
nature, Wall street would resound with Illiads and
Ifneids, that would make the present race Of Ame-
rican poets hang themselves with strings OF their
own rhyme. (Laughter) IL we sharply scruti-
mise the mental process by which high commercial
success is achieved, we shall find the same quail
ties of mind that mark the iriumphs of the poet,
the essayst the orator, and the historian. Is il ob
servation Mark how he discrminates. Is il ar
gument Watch him as he connects, link by link,
the long chain of facts which lead to the induction
upon whose soundness he stakes his fortune and
his character. Is il will Mark, when the COM
mercial hurricane comes sweeping all before it,
how he resists the blast. Is IL imagination His
mind, on wings that mock the swiftness of the
telegraph, flies from pole to pole, and alzes, with
more than prophetic vision, the coming events
which cast their shadows before. Is it analysis
With what subtle skill does he trace results to their
causesl There IL, in truth, commercial genius
the same as an artistic or literary genius. The
facts are only different TO which u 10 applied,
and the mode OF application 10 different.
The same radical mental energy is'present ia both;
there is diversity in the occupations and The
direction OF the mind. IL is in comprehensiveness
that nations generally fail. Narrowness is the
death Of might, and national exclusiveness is ni-
tion nal suicide. For instance, there may be too
much devotion To art, 10 the neglsct OF the prac-
teal affairs Of life. Italy 10 an example. Tne
higher German philosophy is an example OF the
result OF arbitrary government, which has denied
freedom Of thought and expression, except ia
distractions. Hence the German is free TO idealizs
liberty; but II he speaks u word against a braZen
law, which bears lie on its face, he Is dregged 10
prison to expiate his offence. lie can indulge in
infdel specuations but he mus not touch politics.
He is free 10 blaspheme God, but not to insult the
house Of Hapshurgh. rs there is danger tt at IN
Italy exclusive devotion TO art will deprive the
people Of the energy which rs necessary TO sustain
art, and as Ia Germany truth degenerates into
abstractors,s in this country the great danger rs
that vulgs iity and sorditnsss, and the nordinate
thirst for mo icy, will destroy all love for ideal
beauty. sr iaildme individuals with self seeking
which will dev0ur national life. The safeguards
against Il Ia, lie in the moral and religious influences
with VII ch he American IS surrounded; but these
very inl ue lces become modified by the national
character, and religion itself becomes worldly
Two classes have been thrown on the surface by
the heavings OF American society. violent reform
ers and violent radicals. Both are antsgoaistic to
the ma ional characteristics. The first are come
outers, who carry the doctrine OF free will so Tar
that they think man can do everything, and they
ing the entire concrete form OF religion and politics,
and social existence. But their effort Is hopeless
They cannot come out. They cannot sep irate
Themselves or others from the community They
are held by IL lust as eectualy IL they attempted
90 leap INTO the air, and were drawn back To the
earth by attraction The earth wouli say to every
such visionsry-lf you dislike my forests cut them
down; if my surface isrugysd and barren, cultivate
me; III you please Dig Into my bowels tor hidden
treasure but you shall not part from me; if you
want to GO upon journey around the sun on your
own account, like vagabond. that you shall not
do, so help me gravitaiion. (Roars OF liughier
Instead Of a divine paence. which theseimen claim.
they manifest an mPltience with the divinity. la
fact their spirt is the very reverse OF resting
Providence, who, when he takes a step, an age
passes away. During the anniversary week this
sentiment is ia full blast ana 4 carried to the ut
most pitch Of exiravagance. But while this class
have bot one idea of MORALS there Is another class
the practical, who have but idea OF money
The one Carries the doctrine Of fee will to ex
treme the other class refers all things 10 manifest
destiny" With the latter everything Is inevitable.
This dogma IL the coiasge Cf rogues, who calls
man's sin Gods providence end they are TO b.
found chiefly upon the frontier. This class are
farious ia their patriotism. and their bombasti,
fpeeches are ever bedizened with stars and stripes,
and anticipauuns Of the rascal's good TIM
coming" (Laughier) one ct their dogmas ls,
" our country, night or wrong fallacy at best;