New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-11-18
MERCANTILE LIBRARY LECTURES.
The study of the Sciences.
DY GOV. HonATTo SEYMOUR.

The Introductory Lecture OF a series, to be
given before the members Of this Mercantile Library
Association delivered last evening in Metropolitan
Hall by HoRArIo SEYMOUR the Governor elect Of the
State Of New.York The attendance was fair, hut not
large.
Gov. g. on being introduced to the audience, said
that when ne consented to address the Association he
was Influenced by desire to promote the objects it
had in view, by presenting few suggestions which
had presented themselves to his mind.
He remarked that there were about four thousand
young men connected with the Association, who were
engaged in Of the most honorable pursuits Of ea
business that demanded their time and exsrons-tha
they would be called upon to ell the places now
filed by our most intelligent and liberal minded mel
that most Of them would, like present merchants
have to work out their own fortunes that in this gre
mart Of commercial enterprise it s the aim Of all to
make their honorable pursuits advantageous that in
fact we are now great commercial people, AMI that
we shall soon be the greatest milton in the world that
we shall sOOn have command Of the ocean, while
the length Of our lakes and rivers would span the
world that a. it II impossible to estimate the mag
niude Of the future commerce Of this City,
it is therefore d matter Of deep interest that the
chants OF New York should be enlightened was mat
ter Of congratulaton that the members Of this Associa
ion have founded of the extensive libraries in
the country embracing great many works OF literary
and scientific character while liberal OUTLAWS had been
made from time time to the delivery Of lee
lures which calculated 10 impnrt much valuable
instruction and the Association had been Induced
TO engage one Of the most accomplished foreign
writer's whose name and fame were too well known 10
require any remarks from him. TO instruct them and
tits community He Gle speaker deemed it an honor
TO be asked deliver the Introductory lecture under
such circumstances. His principal object was TO
encourage healthfu action of the mind; that
we American people have a right TO be
proud of our history, progress char cer and ener-
ey that within the few years Of our Nationality we have
achieved great riumphs that almost oil of them have
been of peaceful character effected without the VIC
lence OF pomp of war that have built tn finest aud
fastest steamers in the world and the neetest sailing
vessels that we have the longest lines of canals while
our great system of Railroads and prodgious length Of
teeg hic communication all unknown in Europe.
The lecturer remarked that this spirit of promoting in
dyidua interest and prosperity throughout our land
highly and justly to be appreciated; that there is at
present great struggle going and the fact is very
evident when it is rccoeoted that less than from
three to four hundred thousand subject from the ranks
Of foreign pOtcntates annually oavng their home
TO become citizens of our country that Great Britain
eXertng every means TO divert this desenlon o.
her subjects to come of her thiny populated posscs-
sions But while we have reason to cxult over other
nations we must not conceal the defects which spring
from restless pursuits, for the complete absorb
ton of the American mind is attended with some
important evils; and il is contended that our achieve
the results of morbid lust for GAIN and that
when the paroxysm has subsidized the evils will be fear
fully apparent The speaker thought there consid
cradle cooring of truth in the observation that
a money loving people to extent unknown in any
other quarter that admire the counte
nance and exhausted frame that we look upon them
much in the same light as in the days o.. chivary men
ookedupon face and other marks oiwar The
English Statefmen would suspend the Diplomacy Of
Nations, and spend month six weeks in hunting
fishing or riding while here carry attention 20 basi
ness to such extent that associate good business
habits with the carc-worn countenance and mistaken
dullness caueed by unwearyngtOil for wisdom His in
tense application to business pursuits is attended with
mental well physical evils this complete absOrp-
ton of fucutes-this exccssive-thought produces
common form of insanity
(At this junc,ure Of his remarks Gov. Seymour be-
came quite indisposed for few moments, and was
compelled to suspend speaking. number of his per-
sonal friends Immediately surrounded him On recoy-
erng lie was hailed with enthusiastic appause
tai culture in afordng recreation and elevlting moral
sentiment. He alluded first 10 the study Of Geology,
by which we had acertaincd The nature of the
Of rocks from Lake Ontario to the Gulf OF st. Law
renee and that further south found the carbon
ferrous or coal regions Of Pennsylvania, and still
further south we come to the marine reptiles, which
must have been of terrific character that following
these we found land reptiles then again we come to
a different species such the mastodOn He mex,
spoke of the microscope, and the improvements that
had been made in its construction within the last 90
years, by the aid of which are enabled 10 exam
ire the condition of HE in the vegetable world.
The lecturer contended that, by giving attention
to the study Of these subjects. the mind would
be protected from unwholesome excitement so far
the world around bin Is concerned; that
these studies must conduce to love of nature
and thus although oil farmers do not become Pres.
idcnts all our Presidents had become farmers.
romaIking that every President who had outlived his
term OF office had turned his attention 10 agriculture.
Van Buren,, the most sagacous politician Of the times,
was now one Of the most successful agrculturists Cen
Cass is a naturalist. The eminent statesman whose
death has just been commemorated had his tondness
for fl hing Mr. Clay, whose character for many years
surprised the world, not dry and withered up at
the approach of old age In him you saw the owner
interested in the subject of He died with his
harness on in the field of his rcnown While Sir Wal
ter Scott although writer of fiction, had copied ma
,ure so truthfuy that evident that he paid con-
siderable attention to the study OF nature.
In consequence of severe indisposition Gov. Sey-
mour was compelled to conclude his lecture somewhat
prematurely. and was led OF the rostrum.
Meeting ofthc American chronological Society.
The American chronological Society metlast