Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-02-10
Local IntelIigence"~Chy Affairs, &c
THE ATHENEUM.


of Virginia, delivered on Tuesday night at he
Atheneum, before large and fashionable audi
ence the first of his course of lectures on the in
teresting subject of Geology. We took no notes,
and shall not do the distinguished gentleman the
injustice of attempting from memory to give
sketch of his most instructive discourse. It is suf
fcient here to say that the crowded and attentive
audience attracted by the speakers widespread
reputation, appeared to be we'll pleased with his
able exposition ofthe subject with which he dealt
and well they might have been pleased, for Mr..
Rogers. to faculties of lucid explanation, and
extensive learning unites the faest rhetoric,
which lends to his discourse charm, which it is
in the power of few to impart to scienti fc sub
Ject. The lecture was necessarily in great de-
gree, Introductory in its character Having got
ten through with preliminary observations and
entered fairly into the great domain of Geology.
the Professor will in his next lecture ION Friday
night) proceed to develop the great branch of sci
ence now nder his consideration, and bring to
light the leading features of that wonderful histo-
ry which is carved on the rocks. and embedded
in the hills. Nothing can give more pleasure to
we'll disposed mind, than to listen to these mar
vellous revelations, and learn something of the
great revolutions through which our globe has
passed. and by what agencies, and through what
successive changes our planet has been fitted for
the habltationo of man. Professor Rogers will
disclose how the elements, which we behold now
in constant activity around us, have been obedi-
ont genll in the hands of the Great Being, to re-
duce from chaos the world which we now inha-
bit, and render it a pleasant abode for the human
race. In the mastery development which Goo
logy is now about to receive we will have pre-
sented to us, the earth in the different conditions
| OF It's history, aid how from the simple forms
vegetable and animal life, there has been in the
continual changes to which it has been subject, a
regular progress in the ascending scale, until
the introduction of man himself upon the great
! theatre of action. Whether the business of Gre
alton has been completed, not even the learned
Professor can denomination his province lies in
the past, and not the inscrutable future But if
| upon this mysterious aud sublime inject, it were
lawful to hazard speculation, we would be
borne out by analogy, were we to look upon
our globe still in state of transition, and a
being now only in state of preparation for the
|
capacities, than the puny which now lords
it over creation. Man will then pass away, and
all that will remain of him and his proud works,
will be found in the fossil remains of some cav
ern, or deeply buried in the accumulated sands of
time. We invite readers to lay hold of the
occasion, and putting by for brief season Ike
business and the pleasures of life to attend the
rest of these adm fable lectures. Admirable tor
( from our ancient connection with Professor Ro-
gers we feel authorized TO speak in advance of
the productions of his genius.
We were well pleased to see so overlooking an
auditory at the Atheneum. 1t speaks we'll for
the people of Richmond aud proves that they
can receive entertainment from higher things
| than the satatng pleasures of society. Public
lectures are playing an important part in propa-
eating useful Information. They have in their
beneficial effects upon the urban masses taken
place beside the school-house, and established
powerful agency in spreading the conservative
influence acknowledge among the passionate and
dangerous multitudes congregated in large CT
ties.
| tits extremely fortunate for the popularity of
the University, for its Professors thus to mix
with the body of the people. No could
possibly be adopted which could endear that seat
of learning much to the people Of this Com
monwealth. Every institut on in this Republic,
| in order to rest upon sure basis, must be placed
under the patronage of the people, and we
gratifed that the Professors of that College have
begun to pursue the surest path to reach that
object.
. The mortal remains of the late R. B.
Semple were yesterday conveyed to Fredercks-
| burg over the Richmond aud Fredericksburg
Railroad. A number of gentlemen from this
city-among them Mr.. O. M. Crutchfeld,
Speaker of the House-accompanied the corpse
The car in which it was placed was appropriate
ly shrouded in mourning.
| TaE LITTLE AzTEcs receive company to-day at tn e
| African Church. Their evees will of course be largely
attended for apart from the mystery which surrounds
their history, they represented be wonderful be-
ingsfu of life perfect in proportions, eerfu
tented and happy. The sight ofthem is said brings
the beholder unpleasant eengso there is nothing
idotc either the expression ofthcr face their
ments You rather observe intelligence their eye,
thoughtflness in their look.
Their praises have been celebrated in prose and po-
etry. Having given Washington Irving's impressions
upon seeing them, permit to introduce lady
who has been inspired upon behoidia these wonderful
| beings
TO THE AZTEC CHILDREN.
N p LASsELLE.