Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-01-17
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

made by Prof. Henry yesterday of the doings
ot the Smithsonian Institute in the Msteorolc-
gicsl Department shows that very satisfactory
results have already been reached.
The Institution has published q valuable
work upon Z" The Winds of North America,"
By Prof. Coffin, and one upon I" The heat
and light of the Sun upon different parts of
the Earth's surface" by Prof Meach
Blank tables have been carefully prepared
and scattered through the country to be filed
up; and rain gauges also had been sent out
TO those who will guarantee to return the re-
suits OF their experiments to the Institution.
Prof. Henry spoke of the glorious system CT
observations that might be carried out were
Lieut.. Maury to take the sea, the Smithsonian
Institution the eastern portion OF North Amer
lea, the War Department the West, and Cana
ds and the Hudson Bay Company the North.
Prof. Nash, of Mass, offered resolution,
prefaced by u handsome little speech, thank
Ing Prof Henry, and requesting his address
In q written form for publication among the
transactions Of the society which was adopted.
Dr. NeHbery, who was geolOgist to the
Government expedition for the railroad sur.
yey under the command Of Lieutenants Will
Hanson and Abbot in 1855, spoke of the
agricultural resources Of Oregon and Califor-
MIA, expressing an opinion unfavorable to the
Pacific coast Us an agricultural region, with
the exception Of limited districts such as the
Willamette Valley Of Oregon and the Sacra-
mento Valley Of California.
A motion to buy Chinese sugar cane seed
sufficient to plant one hundred acres OF land
was rejected, on the ground that experiments
Of ample extent are now on trial by the Patent
Office.
Prof Nash explained Mr. Browns (of Phil
adslphis) theory Of wool.
A resolution on the subject of vine cuttings
was then referred to the executive committee.
Mr.. Jones, of Delaware, presented q report
g., -,
State $780, 900 in lands, for the purpose Of es-
tsblishing agricultural universities.
Mr.. Wsripg Of n. moved and argued in
favor Of an indefinite postponement of the
subject.
Mr.. Army, of Kansas, formerly from Ill }
opposed the postpOnement of the measure He
thought that elementary schools of instruction
were more necessary for the success of agricul-
ture than the establishment Of universities;
but be was otherwise in favor CT the petition.
The subjeot was passed informally over.
The vote rejecting the motion for the put
chase Of the Chinese sugar cane seed was re-
considered, en- motion OF Mr OicOtt, and the
resolution adopted after considerable debate.
Mr. Jones, of Delaware, made q report from
a committee appointed at the last annual meet
ing on the general subject Of agriculture, with
various recommendations which was adopted
On motion Of Mr.. Fraser, of New jersey, it
was resolved that the members be requested
10 make accurate reports 10 the Society at the
next annual meeting, Of all information upon
agricultural experience.
Dr. Prince, of New York, made some re-
marks in favor Of the Chinese potato, which
he considered Of equal Importance with the
sugar cane
DR. Newberry, OF the Smithsonian Institute,
presented q resolution in favor Of geological
survey, which was adopted.
Messrs. Calvert, French and Browne were
appointed a committee to memoriaiise Congress
IN favor Of establishing an agricultural de
partment
e. W. p. Gusts, Esq, delivered felicitous
yaledictory; after which thanks were voted to
Mr.. Custis, and to President Wilder, and then
the Society adjourned TO meet againin January
next.
FoRrr-sECOND ASSIvERsARY OF COLUMBIA
TYPOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY Tonight, the glO-
rious craft " no follow "the art preservative of
all arts" celebrate the birthday of Franklin
and the forty-second anniversary Of their So
ciety By supper at Coke's. Printers have
way Of their own of doing up these afsirS hand
somely, putting their entertainments quite be-
yond the reach OF composition in brllliancy,
epiOysbleness and all that constitutes gen
ersl good time. Consequently their annual
festivals are affairs eagerly locked forward TO
and long remembered afterward.
Our Information Of the programme for to-
night Il, that the chances for happy evening
arc most suspicious, every preparation having
been made 10 that end Among other fea-
tures, Esputs's Band has been engaged to fill
up the intervals Of conversation, speech, and
Roast making, with some choice music.
THK AGRICULrURIsrs AT TIE W HIFB House.
On Thursday afternoon q number Of the mem
bers Of the L nited States Agricultural Society
visited the President, and were received by
him in the kindest manner, the interview
taking place in the East Room. The Pres:-
dent expressed the satisfaction his visit to
their meeting on the previous day had given
him, and his hearty concurrence in the labors
of the Society-labors IN which, at some fu.
ture day, he hoped to participate Hon. Mar
shall p. Wilder, president Of the Society, in
4 neat address, congratulated the President,
that, il retiring from his high position, he
would ascend u higher One-that Of an az
riculturalist The President intimated pur-
pose 10 devote the remainder of his life to
farming.
WAsHISGToS CIRCUs.-A splendid bill Of
areuic novelties is announced at the Circus
tonight, presenting host Of new acts Of horse
manship, acrobatIc scenes, &c. Herr Won Beck
repeats his truly wonderful ascension on the
spiral column, received last night with most
nnbounded applause. Madame Tournairs will
also appear IN two Of her most attractive
scenes, The Ferranti family, Master Derious,
r.
in q grand change CT most effective and bril-
liant acts, known to the equestrian art. Go
shis evening, il you desire to be amused.
WISrEE EVESISGs.-Our readers, old and
young, will agree with us, tEat the most pref
Itable and entertaining manner Of spending a
winters evening, is by reading. BY calling
upon our friend PhilbTick under DeXter's
Hotel YOU can secure for tribe just the book
You want. A an additional inducement to
call, we desire 10 say, that By buying book
you will obtain as q gratUity either gold
watch, watch chain, breast-pin, earrings,
bracelet, lOckst, hngsI-ring, pocket.knife, or
some other valuable present.
len. comedian, John Owens takes his ben
eft il the great bill consisting of " Self"
and the Wandering Minstrel In the latter
Mr. 0xeKs introduces the ''doleful, dreary,