Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-11-25
NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

The celebration of the semi-centennal Anniversary Of
the New York Historical Society Monday last
event to be remembered and treasured by al who par
tcipsted in it. In the afternoon the members Of the
Society assembled at their rooms and at little before
o'clock moved in procession to Nblos Theatre listen
to Hon. GKoRGE BAsoHoYrs Grafton on " Human Pro-
gress The theatre was densely crowded in every part
the audience embracing amount intelligence talent
emnence Of character and personal worth, and female
loveness seldom brought together Historians states
men, poets terateurs, editors professional notabes,
and official digntares were clustered there drawn to-
gether by the mystic spell of intellectual sympathy On
the stage seated the invited guests and number of
members.
Mr. BANCROFT occupied two hours in the delivery Of
his oraton, which he read from manuscript. We have
space for this NOBLE philosophc and at points classic
effort in which the orator traced the unity Of the human
family rebukng the materasm Of the past century and
looking forward universal harmony among men,
Ably Mr. Bancroft has written and uttered other or
kindred themes, this oraon in point of compactness
well balanced sentences eoquence and direcness seem
ed to US the eorescence of all his former culture. 1t
is credit to him and the Historical Society 1t was
listened to with profound interest.
Following close upon Mr.. Bancrofts oration the
Socieys Banquet at the Astor House, magnificent fes-
down. Famous for the elegance and sumptuousness Of
its special dinners the Astor spread richer
more gracefully and appropriately ornamented feast
Hon. LUTHER BRADIsH, President Of the Society," pre-
sided his right the Orator Of the Day and his left
Rev. DR.. MATHEWS. Among the invited guests, seated
on tho dais, were Hon. RoBERr G. WINTHROP Of Massa-
chusetts, DR.. FRANCIS, Commodore McKEEyER q. s. N,
Mr.. STANTON, Of Tennessee, Prof GgoRGH TUCKER, OF
Virginia, and others. Thus far the New York Mirror.
In the course Of the entertainment the President
toned the historical incident that from the time Of the
first burgomaser down to the present period New York
city had passed through many important changes but
there is only manuscript copy Of its history Should
that copy be destroyed the history Of two centuries
would be forever lost
When the army was toasted the Hon. FnEDEhIcK r.
STANTON Of Tennessee called upon to respond and
he alluded very handsomely to the senior officer Of the
army Com. McKEEvEn acknowledged the sentiment re-
ferring to the navy
The seventh regular toast in honor of Gen. ScoTT
and the President regretted his absence, having been
called suddenly Washington meet the Secretary Of
War. note Of from the General was then read
The toast in his honor was as follows:
sThe Commanding General Of the Army Of the United
Satewhose orders before the battle have proved to be
a true history Of the fight"
Mr.. BANCROFT toasted, and made handsome re-
sponse adding many gems to those already given to the
society The Hon. RoBERr C. WINTHROP acknowledged,
in his happy sye the toast to the Historical Society
of Massachusetts; Gen. CADwALLADEn answered for
Pennsylvania Professor TUCKER for Virginia. and Judge
CAMPBELL for the Judiciary Letters Of excuse were re-
ceiyed from the Hon. EDWARD EVERETT, Hon. RICHARD
RUSH. Gov. GRAHAM, Of North Carolina, and other dis
tinguished citizens. There many rich thoughts
elected and altogether the celebration occasion
long to be remembered by all present.