The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-26


ALBANY, July %, 1856.
xfeef,ny Of Celebrated Scientific Characfers-In.
a1g,ration Of Isco Pubac Institstsons--Not
Yet IN the Requisite Cosd;ti0n-SAOlld hare
Occsrred a Year Hence.
The meeting of the American Association for the
Advancement Of Science, announced to be held in
this city on the goth of August is expected to at
tract large assemblage Of the scientific and literary
geniuses OF the country. Our citizens feel highly
honored that their city has been selected as the
place Of meeting for the current year, and arrange
ments are already in progress for rendering the dis
tnguished guests every facility for the transaction
of is regular business, and for the gratuitous
tertainment of the members during their stay in
the city.
There are two very important matters announced
in connection with this meeting which are, in a
measure quite premature, viz: the Inauguration Of
the Dudley Observatory and the State Geological
Hall. The Observatory Is not in suitable condi-
ton for such proceeding. II does not contain any
scientific instruments OF any importance. They
have been ordered, and are in process Of manufac-
ture in Europe. Some may be completed in the
course of some six months, but no one expects
that the great heometre be finished, adjusted,
and placed in its proper position in less time
order that an eclat may be given to the
opening Of the Observatory, an agent has been
despatched TO England, Scotland France, Germany
and Switzerland to solicit the attendance Of several
Of the most proficient scientific professors and astro
nomic masters of the age. They are generally men
destitute of . superabundance Of pecuniary means.
Their passages both ways across the Atlantic have
been gratuitousy rendered them by the ocean steam
companies, and James s. Wsdsworth, of this State,
has very generously contributed to of those dis
tngsished foreigners the sum Of five hundred dol
lars towards defrsying his personal expenses while
ON visit to this country aud attending this meeting
Of the American Association for the advancement Of
science Gerrit Smith was applied to for a similar
contribution to another OF the crest men OF research
and learning but compelled TO refuse account
Of the heavy pledges he has made-some ten thou
sand dollars mOpth-to establish freedom in Kan
sas, BY furnishing niles, and men TO handle them:
against the border ruffans Other liberal and
wealthy gentlemen have made sufficient donations,
as to render the visit OF our foreign friends as
light upon their own pockets rs possible.
Well UPON their arrival at the capital of the State,
what, in the shape of an astronomical character,
viii they discover? The observatory, OF course,
will be the principal attraction; but upon visiting
it nothing viii be found at all worthy of their OBJ
servstion. The walls of the building are
erected and have been for two years. but the sci
entc apparatus Is nearly all deficient The truths,
the managers have been too hasty in this inaugurar
ton affair. No invitations should have been sent
abroad until the institution was fully supplied and
equipped with all the necessary instruments for
viewing the great works Of nature through their
means and by their power We therefore venture to
predict that their visit to this country will be
q failure. 50 far the Albany Dudley Observatory
Ia concerned; and as some recompense for their trip
across the ocean, they may visit Cambridge, Wash
ington and Cincinnati.
The managers Of this scientific meeting also an
that the State Geological Hall is ~ be inaugu
rated and dedicated TO science There is nothing OF
this hall but ts bare walls There is neither shelving
casng, any other convenience about il; there Is
not q single geological specimen in Il. They are all
public buildings, where they were removed when the
old hall was demolished. The State exp pended,
under the direction of class OF State officers,
some SEQ 900 for the construction Of q Geol lgcal
Halls bat after its erection, another set of State Of
hcers refused to occupy it, and do stu so refuse de-
cIarng that q reconstruction must occur, upon en-.
tirely different plans before they will deposit and
arrange for public inspection, the vast amount and
great variety Of geological specimens which the
collecting.
Now this whole affair IL altogether too hasty, and
will prove sad disappointment t. thousands whose
hearts are bound up IN su h matters Another year
should have elapsed before these inauguratons took
place. The observatory by that time would be in
condition more suitable and more appropriate. The
heavens, sun, moon and stars viii then be as sus-
ceptibie of astronomical observation and study "a
now and the celebrated professors Of Europe would
now. Somebody at the head Of this affair has made
an gorgeous error, and the result OF these antci.
pated insugurstons will fully convince them Of II.