The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-10
The Free Acatlemy-Innugural Addresses.

The five professors recently appointed in this nttu
ton delivered their inaugural addresses yesterday
ing in the grand lecture hail of the Academy The ex
ercises commenced at half past O'clock and at h
time there between three and four hundred ladies
and gentlemen present constituting most elegant and
fashionable audience Upon the raised PLATFORM at the
end Of the hall, noticed the Hon. Judge Campbell
Doctor Peat, President of the Institution for the Deaf
and Dumb; Doctor Webster, President of the Academy
Ogden Hoffman, Esq, Professor Davies Dr. Gibbs Pro-
fessow Doremus, Benedict, Barton Nichols, Anthem
with a number of other gentlemen, distinguished in
science and literature
The chair taken by Professor Il. G. Benedict
The CHAIRMAN said Citizens ladies' and gentlemen
the Free Academy has been established for more
than thee years during this time it has grown much in
popular favor as aording extended range of educa
ion, based upon broad and true principles The time
pulaIty upon which it rests it should and will make an
effort toextend its range of utility pray your atten-
ton to the address OF Mr. Nichols.
Professor NICHOLS then forward and delivered a
short address upon the subet which he is appointed to
teach-Natural Philosophy The chief point dwelt upon
by the lecturer regards the relative dut es of
teacher and pupil towards each other and the appca
ton by the latter of the knowledge he has acquired
the practical duties of life professor said Mr. Nichols
should know and perfectly understand what he intends
TO teach, but it Is equally necessary that the pupn
should have an idea OF. and fix his mind upon
what he Is about to learn. When a student of
my class to learn the Of telescope or the
microscope to inquire about the diameter Of the earth
ask to understand the suns altitude it is my duty to
see that he has an idea Of what he is about to
fixed resolution to learn it, and when have taught him.
vocation ends. Each mind must then take its own
and mark out path of further investigation for
itself beg to thank the heads Of the Academy for the
confidence they have placed in and will endeavor to
deserve 1t by faithful discharge of my duty Mr..
Nichols retired amid applause
The Chairman then introduced
Mr.. BESEDcT-This gentleman has been appointed to
the chair Of Civil Engine eriDg and he delivered
and lucid difcourse upon that science, commencing
Mr. Chairman ladies and gentlemen-It is a remarkable
fact that up to the present moment little atten-
Issn m he 1Daa tss OF o En-
the military academy. where national purposes demand
its tsthrg it hnas little favor 1t excites surprise
pgt lraetlctl men ia Enslnnd aud else where to nd
Il AZ such limited Instruction is afforded in this essential
msteh Q. pa,onol education. people do not
has grown into mighty nation and as community OK
lands Zach profession must keep pace with ths pro-
G nr ny to sts hsm up m .ncn snar
that h ftope may attain future of higher civilization
Thus mutudinous railways canals harbors steam
ei ard hips demand host OF well instructed men to
rlsn -truct and guide them and the teacher must
not be indolen., iole or dreamy, more particularly
If he be recipient me pubic money. The age
of romantic woods and shady groves for study Is
past, and the cli bonoo and the 'spro bono pub
ico better understood. professor work. The
Board of Education has founded this institution upon a
very liberal scale and we will endeayor to send forth stu
dents worthy Of their municence The central position
country her relation to Europe and Asia with
the great Aleghanies and Rocky Mountains upon her
Fast and West her northern boundary OF two thousand
miles to the Valley Of the St. Lawrence and her three
thousand miles Of coast-make natural demand for
typographical survey. Her coast extending
the Pacific with its bays, gulfs channels streams and
heas require true coast survey Thus an amount of
labor and talent which is incacuable will always find
honorable employment by knowledge of the science Of
civil engineering From the Atlantic States to the
Valley OF the ssisipp will be shortly formed Of
the er attest, most stupendou systems of steam and
railroad communication upon the globe. In peace,
as well as In war; knowledge Of this science is useful
aud necessary and my endeavor will be teach 1t
toustify the confidence reposed in me by the principals
of this institution II my pursuit in life t is pur-
suit have deliberately chosen and upfateringly fol-
lowed love it the true lawyer loves discern the
application Of true principles to difficult the
true merchant loves to Investigate the principles and de-
tails of the of the world and with great plea
consecrate my last efforts to the of this
city to aid in giving her sons that high education which
in younger days when through these streets
my daily toll she could give to me The professor
retired, amid rounds Of applause
Professor ASrHoN then came forward and delivered a
very clear but short lecture upon history and Bellies
Lettres, observing that 1t with regre. that he
ged FRI the seclusion which scholar loves to ap
pear before highly gifted audience knowing his in
ability TO address them as he would wish Though our
country did not posses the ruined and stupendou
towers Of Europe still had rich aud abundant materials
for the historian The history of this island OF Man
hattan is ample field of study, and regret tina. the
band of first settlers did contain wandering
ogenius who would have upon his the
green fields and mumuring streams which preceded this
mighty and fostering city The Professor concluded-It
will be duty pleasure henceforh to point out to the
notice Of those committed to my the noble models
which history and that Of other countries presents
for their imitation hope may be able to fulfil this
duty and having expressed this hope, will no longer
yeur attention to the crude remarks of unpracsed
speaker
delivered an able lecture upon English Language and
Literature analyzing the various causes-socia civil
political and relgiouswhich have tended to render 1t
so copious expressive. and diffuse.
lie was succeeded by Professor DoREMus upon " Ma
tura History and Physiology in very gifted lecture
The very large meeting then separated, highly pleased