New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-01-26
BROOKLYN Institute Lectures.

Mr.. JOHN MASON delivered Lecture on
Geography in the Institute Friday evening The
Lecturer reviewed the position and relations OF ancient
countries ard the advantages which the various king
dons. empires and republics commanded In aiding
them In their struggles OF defense and conquest lilo
described with great cesrncss he Special causes which
had developed the learning OF the Egyptians, the mi
grafton from Egypt OF the founders Of the ecan com
onwealtts and the heroic contests of that people Ia
resfns the nvasions OF Darius and Xerxes he Persian
menerohs. In speaking OF The Egyptian people ne 90
served: The ripediments which intercept nin IN the
means OF procuring the necessaries Of life invariably call
forth energies which surmouDt tbs greatest dcultios
Thu the inundaons OF the Nile rendered the remeasure
ment If the land task of yearly recurrence and hence
they became masters In the science Of Geometry. To
be prepared for these inun intons was necessary 10
observe the motion Of the heavenly bodies andthcreore
they became the t and moot celebrated depostares OF
Astronomical learning. The Lecturer graphically pnr.
tued the advantages which this people had conferred
upon the civilization OF the Greeks, the Romans, and
upon the polite nations Of the present period The o
turc was Illustrated with large and magnificent globe
which the lecturer had constructed for the purpose Of
simplifying the attainment Of Geography. The land
and mountains elevated and the globe Is therefore
beautiful miniature world la circumference is nearly
ten feet, and the elevations bold that they
manifest the eye Mt the most distant parts ot the lee
ture room The land Is raised white composition, tho
oceanic part Is green, and Is therefore piece Of inter
estng wofmsnship.
ihC oCSOuu iCStuio upUu OCoSt~
phy, embracing view of the discovery of the Ameh
can continent, the expedition Of Sir John Franklin,
with observations upon other subjects was on Monday
evening delivered at the brooklyn Institute, by Mr..
Mason. The audience exceedingly sleadcr and In
adyetng the fact the lecturer said he would treat
his subject fully Il the place had been crowded
to susocation lie then proceeded TO detail the diff
cules which beset those adyenturcrs who had aided
to the geographic knowledge Of the prescntday. One
OF the most intrepid Of those who had hitherto explored
the world wa Christopher Columbus who although Of
humble parentsge and limited education, full OF
lruius Underline care OF his uncle, Admiral Colnmbo
he acquire knowledge Of navigation, and Ia years OF
maturity conceived tho idea Of another continent
At the time Henry OF Spain was hitting up
end dspatchng vessel sitter vessel 10 make explanations
on the OF Africa he entertained the idea that land
could be discovered by a Western passage Having
made hInself acquainted with the Ptoemaic and Copper
ncen sysems he conceived his vast destyn, AMI sub
United his theory 20 John OF Portugal This monarch
called biz wisc together who, after consultation.
denounced IL altogether visionary and mprrctcabls.
John however, expressed himseh favofably In regard
TO the project and again rea,senble1 HE conseliors,
who came ~ O ike co0ciusmn. The King still re-
manned unsatfed aud taking the maps aad chars Of
Columbus sent d veesel on voyage Of discovery, but
the In whose charge this undertaking wss placed
soon returned, anf Columbus being disgas,ed with
the reachery OF the King, refused TO entsr into
further negotiations with HIN, and departed for
spain, accompanied by his little boy his vito bav
ing died In Portugal Reaching Franciscan con
vent he begged some bread 20 appease the delsnds
Of hunger, and the guardian being soInewhaf Inter.
eetcd Ia h.s appearance catered into conversation
when Columbus unbOsOmed oil hn projects and re.
lstes his WE'VE in which the frsr ie greatly Interested
ard 1Aye him a Letter 0f introdu tlyn % priest al
Madrid having considerable influence NJ the Court Co
lumbus after ercoun'erng many obstacles eventually
suceeeded after years cesseleSs exsrions IN Oh
tanning hearing The kings advisers were called to
gefher 70 consult upon tic sub and t.ey unanimously
csme 20 the concuson that the idea was absurd Not
viii Standing Columbus explained HE Vows with great
force t svs.el ltn nothing md be returned 10 l.s old
friend Juan Perez the Gao franccsl frar WHO beng
o wan of clear mind and enlarged views, doternined
that he shOuid not be overlooked. lie proceeded ~
court sud nnany succeeded In nnaeacrsz Queen Iss.
bella TO give the project Der spproyd aeet it,eJ
out, snd Columbus veDtured upon the wide waste oC
water. with that derecof confidence which snirnsies
giant mind and overcoming al difficulties finally dis
covered that lard which we have adopted oar own.
lie same zeal which inspired Columbus ssyired sir
John FrsIkhD, who IN hh explorations a dlscoyers
North West pssssge lost bic life In endeavonnr ~ IN
crease the stock Of knowledge for mankind. The ec
turtr dwelt q considerable length upon tlsvry al
ysreed By Prof. Kane Of an open ocean At tie hy.h
Pole, alluded 70 the commercial importance % shs
country Of the acquisition Of Cube, ana 30 tie world o.
the route the Isihaus Of Panama and concluded
By some general observation upon the Importance
education