Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-07-29
PROFESSOR MN. Il. ROGERS.


his distinguished gentleman resigned his p!ciessorsi
,hs University Of Virginia. as we announced some tlm
since and has understand determined establish linn
self hey ond tho borders OF This State and pursue those scien
6c studies which already given 10 him aud his bro
her Professor Henry d. Rogers an European reputation
at once honorable and distinguished.
Dr. W. B. Rogers hae heretofore under commission from
communicated to lc Legislature in 'h
form detailed reports Two III these reports we believe
have been printed but the last, aud by far tho most Vsa
be been suffered to remain imprinted and filed ava,
amongst the old lumber 10 the Capitol, awaiting either il
FINAL decay or what sincerely hope may
Legislature sufficiently impressed with Tho Importance
ilIucidstng the mineral riches of the Commonwealth Il
have the report printed in orn aud manner which rs va
Tue and importance demand.
But lest this may be done speedily Doctor Rogers has
has determined understand, publish upon his
sby work upon the geology and mneralugy OF Virginia
which will enbruce all the information no"
embodied 10 his able reports Such work is demanded by
public want and would doubtless with ready and
extensive sale.
We, Viginans, console ourselves for the superiority OF
the North The ply steal development Of their
try by pointing the intellectual worth OF pcopeann
1t certainly many fine speeches delivered and docu
written by and then But, in the solid
ibutions science and history in all that make great and
advancing country, not only behind enter
prsng neghbors at Tho North but have done next to
nothing al ALL There is not y0 correct map Of Virginia
The annals of the have been compiled
and nrranged The chances for their loss greater Than
for their preservation The immrnse mineral riches Of tie
State lie hidden from the knowledge of The people aud the
government After making laudahc beginning discover
lhem public clnr has stopped short Just when something
really valuable was upon tho point of attainment. There
can DO little doubt thai II plan had been fully carried
which was commenced by the geological survey DR..
Rogers there would been millions capital cngaged
in mining and other allied pursuits where there
dollar employed in Virginia
Pcnnsylv ania understands all this far better Than do
cost of nearly hundred thousand dollars whilst thirty
Thousand, we believe have b.r appropriated for the
preparation and printing 0! the work This great work
has been executed has gone nearly compile
tou,) by Prot. Henry d. Rogers and will when finished
contribute essentially the already increasing reputation of
american science. Upon its publication this book will be
sought for with great sagcfncss by the public.
We graied learn that Dr.. Rogers his brother
the Professor have in contemplation visit several po
tons Of this Commonwealth for the purpose Of procuring
more minute information upon the geology AMI minerargy
OF the State previous TO the compilation %! facts anI the
completion OF the works upon which they engaged
The coal fields OF the West aud the great region of the
trans Aeshany country hear needs in their csma un
some further examination Than has been heretofore bestowed
upon them. Whilst the general outlines Of our geology are
we'll known TO these gentlemen more minute and detailed
observation OF the mineral regions would uyc their
works practical value which se nIo be whn,ino
however unnecessary such innna might appear in IN,
eyes of the merely scientific.