Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-07-16

"tuihi'Na
Wa l1ii siTs d,a.,ta,, ,'ssgs ,,eEi Their place
But we listened yesterday TO one whose nrosa
's poetry, who has made gorgeous imagination
the humble handmh'a of science, and who. no,
ndmirng ns much as Campbell tho rude and cum
brous veil woven by the enchantment of ionn
'"nce. which takes the unknown for the maenili
cnt, has torn il off to display tho far lovlier Wis
"nS o' the beauty order and harmony of ma.
Byron's address to tho oceanis fear too
somewhat endangered by the coming of this new
nnd practical poet, who makes better use of bis
stars and sens than Mr.. Alexander Smith. In
der Byron's lead we have all exclaimed n tbous
and times
"r'on anihou deep snd ddar.b ocean roI
with no very definite iden as to where il would
roll, or what were the objects of its mission or the
sources ofIts powor-bnt very much in the spirit
that Scotchinnn would toll n daft cbiel or n
'wiltnl man to gang his ain gait But at length
we haye son of science who seems to have stud.
led the ocean best in its ieroest moods, and from
Tho wild waves play has discovered some of
their noblcst purposes. Perhaps some of ,ur
young friends who have a lingering affection for
the heathen mythology, and are fresh from tho
reading OF Lempriere and Anthon NAV think
that Lieut.. Maury has taken unwarrantable lib-
critics with the majesty and dignity of Neptune
IN asking for instance. how he learns his salt"
and what he does with it-strppng him of his
'''NihR ''otN " uiHtbFtf ms nnafDmy-~s sDundlnp
the depths of whnt Byron has imposed upon us
m "fathomlessa watcrs-takine the metes and
bounds OF his submarine estates, and proclaim
ing the topography and sunless treasures To tbe
worid-inying his hand upon his heart and feel
ing OF his pulse, as though he were his family
physician -nnd finally, when all other schemes
have fniled, throwing bottles overheard coptin
unlly, ms though he would get the old tyrant into
aconvivia mood and thus extract his choicest
secrets.
But most seriously my friends, should we ex-
press our gratitude to Lieut.. Maury-to this Hnr-
vcy of tho Seas for his discovery and explana
iions of tho laws of their circulation: To this
"chronccr of the winds as they travel in their
circuits. Especially should we admire him for
tho spirit in which all this has been done-tbat
pure and healihful spirit which has sought the
light of science 10 read Alright the oraces Of truth
Well might say that tho Imagination of the in
tdel poet seems tame by such n man. By his
sldo how poor and paltry and insufficient seems
the scene of tho sccptio, talking of the laws of
nature, without an acknowledgement of the great
lnw-Giver. Ills is higher poetry-his a loftier
mind, with grander hopes and brighter visions.
who secs tho boundless mercy of Providence dis
played in the smallest and tho grandest of its
works-n the coral insect and tho miphtest J,e.
vathan-and bows to its influence and hears its
voice in tho ightest breeze that dimple tho sur
fuce of tie sen or in the most furious gale that
thunderS on The weathor-bOw. We cannot won
der at the results ofinyestigation pursued in such
n spirit as this. Nature delights to teach her
lovers Heaven is watchful its worshippers.
and allows them TO trace the story of the drift
nglsen weed aud to gather wisdom from the relics
of the storm; 10 gaze with calm delight "till some
new planet swims into their den," to look with
thoughtful serenity upon the hurricane eclipse of
the sun'-and thus learn humbly to depend upon
the one intelligence which regns through ALL
Honor to the Philosopher always but especially
honor to the one who comes with filial devotion
10 lay his trophies Mt mothers feet, and to teach
his brehrcn,in love fath,and yet with ampest
knowledge, th every fresh discovery in science
is but n Frightening OF link in that great chain
which untes Us to tho architect of architectsthat
earth and sea and air, are bound together by one
great band and that all their fountains, waves
and currents arc but the pulsations of that great
heart which throbs in mercy throughout the uni
verse.
You arc eager, gentlemen, to honor such a
man. | offer you, then-pledge me with your
hearts, and "l'll not ask for wine'-
Matthe,o f. Maury.-The right minded mariner
and true Philosopher: Virginia crowns with her
love the fame which world bestows, and adds
her blessing to the titles which proclaim him
the ornament of science and the friend of human