The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-18
RansomUiHe, 1851.
MECHANISM.--No XIV.
ny InsIAH HnI RpnoK-


In this age Of progress practical science stands
in bold relief II il the broad, strong foundation
of support, the grand centre-spring of movement
in every work of progress First elements
ultimate principles " = of science, applied Il
human wants used as the primary lever OF bu
siness, adopted as the First Lessons" of ele
mentary instruction, have already produced
mighty results They have occasiOned q
"World's Fair for the exhibition of such re-
suits, for the universal diffusion of such princi.
pies They must be thus diffused. tits the voice
of public sentiment that il omnipotent Poten-
tates, despots, and yrants, cannot resistit II is
itself the potentate of all earthly powers.
The history Of practical science for the last
quarter of a century Is in no small degree the
history of the world, especially OF human pro-
gress in this most remarkable age Of the world.
The sciences showing most progress are geology
and chemistry Half century ago the word
geology was not named even in our colleges; il
hardly had place in our dictionaries. Now
il is in every child's mouth. One Of the most
distinguished professors, in one of the oldest and
most distinguished of American colleges, remark
ed that when he took possession of the chair as
signed him in that institution, about thirty
years since, he did not know the name of quartz,
nor of any place in the country where he could
learn IT, The name and character Of this pro-
lessor are now as wide as the science me teaches
Another professor appointed to a similar
chair in another distinguished college, about the
same time, remarked that when he took posses
sion Of the place assigned him in the institution,
he did not know that there was more than one
Kind of stone in the world, and he did not know
the name of that. Not many years after, he
produced large volume on geology and min
eralogy. which was pronounced by the English
reviewers the best work extant on the subject
II was translated into the French and German
languages, and used in both those countries as
the most substantial textbook
In the unparalleled progress Of this highly
practical, also fascinating science--geology-
schools have had an effective agency. BY the
agency Of young hands in Boston, near twenty
wears since, each member Of the Massachusetts
Legislature was furnished with a small element
ary caLinet Of geology in behalf Of the schools
in his Legislative district by him TO be circula-
ted for the benefit Of the whole The next Lee
gislature ordered a geological survey Of the
State The generous young spirits of Philadel-
phia, not long after engaged in similar agen-
CIV. and produced like results in Pennsylvania
From these juvenile efforts came the appoint
ments of President Hitchcock, of Amherst Col
lege, and Professor Rodgers of Pennsylvania, as
the biologists Of their respective States. BY
both these gentlemen lectures have been given
before the Smithsonian Institution.
The geological surveys Of the other States by
Legislative enactment, followed IN quick success
sion, leading TO scientific explorations OF nearly
every State in the Union, with others on a more
extended scale, under the provisions Of our Ma
tional Legislature For combining the efforts
and enricbing the fruits produced by State and
National geOlogists, they organized themselves
into society for the mutual aid Of themselves
and the common benefit OF the country and
science. Under the law Of progress, this little
club Of geologists has by various steps, advanced
and enlarged into the American Association
for the Promotion OF Science embracing large
numbers Of scientific men coming up in the
course Of this progress now holding annual and
semi-annual meetings very largely attended, IN
different and distant parts OF our country, ma
king special aim to cooperate with kindred
societies in other countries II IL due 30 the
generous young spirits Of Washington, the heart
Of the nation, 10 mention that offerings kindred
10 those rendered 10 patriotism and 10 science
by the noble energies referred 10 10 Boston and
Philadelphia for Massachusetts, and Pennsylva-
mia, have recently been made and are now ma
king by them for American citizens and the
worlds progress With them progress is the
watehword.
Erperimsnt,--Some twelve years sincc the
pupils Of female seminary in a country town
IN Massachusetts sent 10 similar Institution In
Georgia q box Of common aones picked up In
their streets Within year or two after that
the Georgia school had on one side OF their