Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-08-30
GLIMPsEs OF MEN. THINGS. AND PLACEs-No. q
ALBANY, IN. w. Aususr 81, 1851.

ALBANY, (N. Y.) AueUsr 81, 1851.
The Scientific Convention, continued The
Annual Address before the American Association
for the Advancement of Science" was delivered
last evening, in the Representatives Chamber OF
the State House, by Professor BAoHE, Superintend-
ent of the Coast Survey and President of the Assoc
citation for the past year. The audience large and
bodied great of learning and 1t also
gaced with the presence of many ladies' The address
pied something hour and listened throughout
with great interest and entire satisfaction It able eIe-
vaed and full Of the right spirit; pointing the great i'm
portance Of science the welfare of race and the utility
Of such associations for its advancement encouraging the
members persevee in their labors paper which
will be read with much interest when published will Of
be in the transactions of the Association. intended
to give some little synopsis of it, but find myself pressed
far ahead of by the current Of to-day that omit
for the present. though of its points hope touch
upon hereafter.
The proceedings Of today demand my attention this
ing for they have been peculiar and will the day
be long and pleasantly remembered by the Association This
Association for The Advancement Of Science have
rapidly growing popularity and although yet its infancy,
bids fair become pet institution of the country 1t is but
few years since its first germ made its appearances in the
form Of geological society, Of humble preensons and very
limited operations being simply meetings for consultation
and comparing notes by interested in geological
veys Of Of the States Other departments Of science
gradually attracted around this nucleus aud efforts be-
to be made by those thus associated establish ins-
upon broad foundation the general advancement
science But Prof. Bache stated in his address last even.
ing, the leading scientific Of the country threw cold
upon the project they kept aoof several years. declaring
their belief that the whole scheme would be failure without
any good satisfactory results By degrees however they
brought into the plan the association grew and gained
strength and popularity, till it has become what it is-s pow
erfu and important institution, whose vviying influence
beginning be felt throughout the land Cities and
with each other for the honor Of being selected the
place for holding annual meeting of the American As
ISOLATION for the Advancement Of Science" Charleston
South Carolina, has shared the honor and honored herself
by her couresies the Association and by publishing,
the cs expense the yearly volume Of its transactions Gin
cnna has also shared the honor and honored herself in
like manner by like cvilites. Cleveland and Baltimore
already the field competitors for the honos of year.
with offer Of similar couresies.
To-day the Association has enjoyed agreeable demon
sraion Of the Inequalities and sympahies Of the cities Of AL
bany and Troy have already stated in former letter that
formal invitation had been received from the authorities of
Troy for the Association to visit that city, and that the nv
ation accepted and this day assigned for the visit It
announced to the Association yesterday that carriages
would be readiness convey the members upon this
cursion at nine o'clock this morning. in State street. "near
the old elm " for Albany too has venerable ELM well
Boston and New Haven. Members who have ladies with
them-and there are quite number such-were invited
take them on the excursion Accordingly at nine o'clock
this morning. there quite mastering the cold elm.
Presently lively array Of twohose carriages made their ap-
and lined the for long distance The whole
bpn al hafuue
forty and fifty carriages and that nigh. be left behind
believe an omnibus or two brought up the rear
We were soon on the way Troy, riding up the western
side Of the Hudson and along the bank of the Erie canal
Two or three miles from Albany carriages left the main
road and turned into the Abany Rural Cemetery, where
a spAnt in riding through its winding
and viewing its beautiful picturesque scenery do not know
the extent Of these grounds but probably they between
one and two hundred had expectation of seeing
any thing half lovely and varegated the scenery Of this
cemetery proved be. has the age of the Green
wood of New York and Brooklyn, and much less that Of
the Mount Auburn of Boston, IL does not, therefore,
equal them scuptued embellishments and rich works OF
art but in natural scenery, variety, and picturesque beauty
it is not inferior to either. There points in Green
wood which present commanding and more beautiful
in the distance but when the view confined within
the grounds think the Albany cemetery has the advantage
in scenery The beauty of bill and valley and wooded dell
heightened by little gades, and above all by
running stream which winds through the grounds often
breaking upon the view, and sometimes in natural arf
cial cascades In several places artificial fountains in
play and bridges sreame glade, gorge helped to
fill up the picture In instance carriages passed along
the bottom of sharp gorge winding between wooded hills
and after circuit Of distance crossed this
gorge on bridge thrown from hill hill, directly
former track.
Leaving the grounds Of the cemetery, drive of two
three miles further brought into West Troy, WHERE
cording previous arrangement the party stopped and visit
ed the fine grounds of the United States arsenal Here
salute of thirteen guns fred which ascertaned be
in honor Of the of the State who together with the
city authorities of Albany, had accompanied party Al
ter brief call Of ceremony the residence Of the Command
ant COL Baker, the carriages again in motion, and the
party conveyed through West Troy and the bridge to
Troy where they received by the city authorities and
escorted the Rensselaer, Institute Here ageeaby pre-
vious announcement regular meeting Of the Association
held in the lecture of the building. President Agas
SIX, in calling the meeting to orde paid handsome tribute
the founders Of institutes of learning Prayer offered
by Rev. DR.. Potter Of Albany, after which the following
great interest
lon type of alternate generation observed among
Medusa, by Prof l.. Agassz, of Harvard.
2-On phenomena bearing Electrical Theory, by
Prof. Joseph Henry, Of Washington
3On the distinctive character Of the Indians of Caorna
by DR.. ]. l.. lie Conte, Of New York.
A II a in IF Inv Prnf r..