The New York herald., 1851-08-26

present CIRCUMSTANCES tn an history aud
share the general Of the time without those
strongly conservative powers which in other Countries
institutions % science aud learning of past day
The calls for mechanical knowledge aud for the spp
Of phy sizes OF mat of natural ssienbe
have, without doubt, thrown rresistibl, into tbs
career which following, and which in its
objects aims and results partakes OF the general dire,
tiUn Of the science OF the worl The beginning OF this
movement was well nigh stihed by epericsm in forms
and in strength which threatened the very life OF
sct kmbodsned by the absence OF accredited tr
bunas to try its claims 1t proered boldly its pretenons
to public notice calling itself by the respected OF
science and TO outward seeming entitled to its
Int small country town in France as the worshippsrs
we're pouring from the Cathedral church l saw drawn
up on the public square which tbs buliny frontet,
large barouche transformed for the time into stage
from which man in dress initiating that OF the couct
OF the last century invited the issuing worshppers to
try bis skill in pharmacy in me iicne and in surgery,
while trumpet sounded occasionally aarums to ask
attention to the Master Charatan This was the old
fashioned character-hardly deceving any but the most
ignorant though witha exhibiting a power OF tooth
drawing such as would have challenged admiration, had
II been real Our Charatans carefully dosl the dress
and laid aside the tools and stage and their pet
was blown by the kind spectators They pretenie 4,
nevertheless like him OF the village to that which they
did know, and invited like rim the examination Of
powers which they did not profess Had this association
and have outrooted the deyotees of science in the
escon of its officers This picture may overcharg-
ed but appeal for the essential truth of its features
these fears which cauno. yet be forgotten of those who
shrunk for many years from srganiz stion lest wit
the form Of science should want its spirit The strife
though public and avo we'd one, has net been the
less strenuous and If renewed from time to time the
ground gained by true science is too well occupied by
defensive works to render any new attack Of avail Qa
real danger lies now from o1ded Cnaratans which
makes merit in subject for asking suthori
ty others all and because it has ade real pro-
in branch of science claims to be aroiter In
others Sometime. this authority is thrust who,
having the force to nghten those who press them
their real claims inquire the cause they would fan
promote by being too impressole Merit thus moulded
assumes the form of the impressing body. Whether the
authority be seized il unll wfu-he
shoes and buckles if not the whole costume
lead fha
mails for the decision Of scientific quesons which in
way competent to consider them, to appeal to the
general pubic voice from the decisions Of scientific
scientific tribunals in matters which they only
in possession of the knowledge necessary make right
country where every thing is free and every may
tain hearing noorety is often dearly purchased by the
firmly discountenance the wearing even of buckles
If would count reputation by votes alone the voice
Of man Of science Is sure to bs followed by many
votes from the general throng.
One Of the best in the world confessedy
made great failure, in his first attempt there is
record and could detect the gem Of Of
most brilliant lecturers in the unpromisng envelope pre-
sented at a first lecture.
remember well the chilling effect produced upon ms.
when young by the remark OF Of leading ters
men, applied to distinguished scientific writer that
he not +" mere dry man Of science" ?" The remark
intended for advice, and 1 pondered over it.
Perhaps did not despise dryness ought, for the
observation drawn out by my unwilling gness to
dertake notice OF the first volume of Bowditchs Me
canique Celeste some ten days after II appeared.
Delighted with the idea of having the rich stores Of that
Incompatible volume placed within the each of reader
o! the dierental and integral calculus thought it pro-
faneness to pretend to have read it in brief time
The immortal work noticed by more rapid reader
1t was net then and the prevailing fault
science to be dry is dryness Of the tenden
cies Of our have sometimes thought there
was dar ger Of the opposite.
There is nothing marked in disren. countries,
than the difference in facility of expression nothing
certainly struck with force than the contrast
between the happy influence with which the Irshn IN
of science brought their ideas. and the difficulty
which marked the expression OF thought by their
rem on the other side OF the Channel some o. tns
French Academy where the absence Of dryness ceres
that dryness is not, as in bitter reflection may have
supposed, test Of soundness.
. The worlds philosopher Humboldt speaks Of the
self compa:ent diuseness 6f Aristotle; and, If the
stayirite could show in writing may well pardon it
in oral communications Manner is sometimes the in.
dex ofIneral workings, bu. not always Much self re-
lance Ray exist under modest exterior as apparent
foryardrsss Of manner may exist, with a modest
opinion Cf ones self Le Us be tolerant unless we see
buckles.
propose now though conscious that the discussion
must be a very limited and imperfect one, 10 add
mark what has already been said the benefits OF
associations like our own to discuss the special advAn-
tsges Of meetings; pointing out, as well as may
those directions likely to lead to object an1
some which think. however aliuring should not be
foil, wed But first few observations the ordinary
modes Of promoting science in connection with which
would throw out for your consideration some
which induce me TO believe tina, an institution of science
supplementary TO existing ones, is much needed In
country to guide public action In references to scientific
matters.
very deep and wide their roots. The American Philo
sophical Society, Of Philadelphia, and the American
sgeen. of natural history have been permanently
useful. Not Of these associations Is well endowed
Fer only endowed institute (the smithsonian) We
indebted 10 the beraity OF foreigner aud had 1t
five fJd ts prese endowment 1t would not be able to
meet the actual demand upon its funds for purposes
embraced in what its learned Secretary has eas.ed as
its active operations for the increase and din lson
Of knowledge b..
The Institute Of France gives it, members moderate
k.y.. th. n( tb.~
labors The other institutions afford means for the pub
lcaton Of researches but not usually making for them
except incidentally, in the persons Of their officers,
do they support their members
Every man Of genius seems, setting out from the
mental level where education aud crcumstance. hsve
placed him 10 be capable OF certain amount OF effort in
bis Journey TO the stat s. and Even animal
educated to view railroads withou. fright
first. and then without emotion of curiosity No
professor ophy lives tina. studies his pups wh) has
been disappointed at some time after the elaborate
PREPARATION OF new experiment. TO hnd nov eoidy u
was nev--the same level included the motion Of a
needle by the galyanc current the m msnetsm Of oxy
gen Tle next generation will start from the level Of
the steamboat the railroad the pLotoype, ami the tels-
graph.
ON warm and sunny afternoon saw the company in
n railroad car prepare shade before leaving the depot
by raising the blind the e,t eide, because some
VITO had his turned, set the example The value OF the
example which would emulate or iustate may consist
IN the circumstances on the eide where the sun Is
Let take up some Il the leading objects, u which
other associations have usefuly devsiei their energies
course ore Of the most useful fields Of associated,
sc.Itil, labor IL In making directing or furnishing the
and appan f0r researches tnere
Is Of ezperEs Bts and obseryation the plan Of
which be laid cut beforehand an which II Il emf
reny the province Of associations TO ut dertase The
ETh association has distinguished Itself by directing
such through committees and coaslisrable sppropra
tons have been made fr their necessary expenss TAe
fee d nemberhiJ IN that assocision is large The nun.
bsr e members j. very large. We cannot expect to
emulate It. IN cur pecgniarJ means The treasury of our
alton has been relieved by the beTaty OF the city
of Charleston the city q Cincinnati from The COS.
of publishing the proceedings Of the meetiny and yet 1t
l. very scantiy supplied Caa we collect means fsr d.
rectiIg arches uHsss from unlocked fdr ntvi i
munihcencs, / think not Nor 10 I see that working
rirt in our committees which alone ul bring sxpe
rimeuts TO "a succesfa conclusion TIE association dis.
psrses the members separate and there b n sinuusto
AMY 90 iog the hail q tie chcle year Even
ho physcG constants We have called or have NJ. been
tepcf.el -
There T. suijest in ths o1nnec.i1n shch feel ~
my duiy bTitny advert 20 Painful though IL BE- u
should hot be passed by 10 not the part u the
ysung,r mtuters u the association that disposition
which ber their time q lite, 90 take the leo5rin5