The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-08
The New York Historical 3 riety.


This society held is regular monthly meeting last
ing, at ~ ococl--ion lAthcr taG,sh IN the char.
Mr.. Gro. II. MOORE librarian making his report,
GREETED that owing the action Congress limiting the
prcst NATION Of documents and journals 10 one for each
distctto be given 10 the Institution designated by the
member from tha, ds,ric--tbe Historical Society would
have broken file, they did not procure them IN some
other way.
coiNornkNcEs on rlE CONQUEST or MEXICO.
PROT. IEsRf CopifE introduced and read very
interesting paper the Condolences OF the Conquest OF
Mexico. great problem Ee said was IN process Of so.
tionthe entire subsection OF uaure the mind and
w'l OF man. The fifteenth century did much towards
solving this problem bnt thc nineteenth did far more.
The two conauests ono Of each period were types OF the
periods which they occurred vet they concldent
in many points, and taught Tire solemn lesson Eve
rs student Of history struck with the coincidence
which happen war After abiding the more
prominent in the history Of Europe Mr. Coppec
proceeded 10 compare the leading features Of the and
second conquess Of Mexo-the first invasion by tn.
Spanards, Ccrtcs, IL 1917 the by Gcu
Scott and the American army IN 1871 Both followed the
route 10 the Interior aid Cortcs made oyertur.s
Of amy 10 the natl, and careful to lay the ounda
tons OF stronghold ID his the later conasfos
made overtUres 10 the MeAcas invested Vera Cruz
which he took and garrsoned before proceeding 10
capital 10 striking contrast 10 the srandng OF his sls
by Cortes was the action OF the American inder in
dsmssing the vessels which had his troops Both
armies, IN leaving the low country, passed through
same cities and followed the road with excep
volcanic mountains passed 70 the right OF both One Of
Cortes officers as informed, ambitious TO reach
the top Of the "Mysic Mountain il called. su
co many hardsfps in the attempt Ills enthusiasm met
parallel in some Of the American officers who started
two parties. One after great difficulty reached the ton
and mark his success left i've silver dollars on the
top thinking they would backcn in the sulphurc atmos
phere long before any hand would touch them, with
IN week member OF the second party seized upon them
a trophy, thinking he had heirloom of precious
medals Speaking OF the cruetes Of the Spanish sodery
the name OF the Cross Prof q said, when the religious
element loses sight Of the moral obligations there is
knowing whai horrors will be enacted AS the first
quest OF Mexico gavea wonderful Impulse to
and ship building so the second conquest leading to the
settlement Of California and discovery OF us gold fields
bad given new impulse to ship building and commercial
enterprise Lastly, tho speaker drew
the no had achieved the first and
The American commander like his Spanish predecessor
laid clam he and gencraishp His saga
city aud prudence were equal 10 his bravery Bat unlike
tortcs, when conqucror SCOTS bcncvoeDce took the
place OF vaor unlike Cortes he spared respected the
ancient faith forced the natives. No cruees stained
his name.
When the address concluded Gen. WErSoRE pro-
posed, in very complimentary terms vote Of thanks
Prof. Coppee, which passed unanimously.
THE NiSEyEH MARBLES.
The CHARMAN rose 10 announce tie presentation
Of collection Of Assyrian marbles, excavated in
Nineveh, and covered with inscriptions in the
cuncform character, to the Historical Society by
Mr.. James Lenox, member, who purchased them
destined for France these particularly valuable but
invaluable the collection in ITSELF it derived addi-
tona value from the very graceful manner in which
yielded TO pcrseycring and annoying importantly but il
sprung voluntarily from the generous impulse OF his own
vigorous nature and the deep interest manifested by him
in the character and objects Of tho society.
letter from Mr. Lenox states that the collection of
Nncych sculptures described in the official report Of
Mr. Vaax and Mr. Oldcd 10 the Presdcntof the British
Museum, consists Of thirteen slabs of Assyrian aabaste
marble averaging about square and six or
eight inches thick, weighing about tons; they
in tus vero with sculpture in the
and the thirteen pieces stand side by side they mea
- feet inches. They duplicates OF those in
thn pry
Palace OF konyunk in the heart OF Nineseh, which has
be, called the ssWinsor OF Assyra The building was
probably begun by fsau Haddon, OF sculpture Sn.
and finished by Sardanapaus his about the year
Csc before Christ, point which has been styled by Raw
inson the eliminating point Of Assyran art and only
about twenty five years before the fa Of Slrdanapas
and the destruction Of Nnevab the Modes I.aby
lonians under the father OF Ncbuchadnczzar. Hence
these sculptures are not only OF the best time but OF the
best class.
Rev Or. HAWKE said he could not express the interest
with which he heard the made Of this pre-
sentation and he offered his sincere congratulations
society on the possession Of choice collection
He graiiaed, FIRST, American, that
able marbles which had enriched the museums Of Great
Britain and France. works venerable tina, the very
mounds under which they slept had remained untouched
for twenty five centuries venerable that in the
treat OF the Ten Thousand, Xenophon gives Of
having passed those very mounds But there
serious and important aspect in which the arcnaoogst
and the Christian especially turned 10 the banks Of the
Nile with the deepest interest because he found there
mementos which gave confirmation TO that record which
with him above all price. Again, this was a pro
gressiyc age; there was danger that IN following mate
rial prosperity they might lose sight Of higher better
interests He reoced therefore, 10 Mr.. Ienox who
bad amassed wealth by mercantile pursuits dedicate
generous offering the promotion Of historic science
Dr. H. III conclusion, read and moved the adoption the
following resolutions
Resolved, That the magnificent donation T.enox IL
gratefully by the New York Historical
rendering him their thanks for hts beraly
conceal their satisfaction and high
by this renewed expression II his their
oblect-thc advancement and promotion OF historic
Resolved That IN acknowledgment Of the munn,enc which
has secured this country the city OF New York and ts
Society collection Of rich Ia their
and antiquarian interest shall hereafter be
'I.enox Collection of Nneveh scuipturesn
Resolved That Mr. Lenox be requested Ia sit for his portrait
10 be placed the gallery OF the Society an0u OF
ouuders and benefacorS.
The resolutions unanimously adopted.
Hon J. I. HEAuIy, late Secretary OF State. presented
TO the Society behalf Of nr William Beattie of Lon
don, donation IL several very and valuable works
resolution Of thanks to Dr. Bealtc Tor his noble and
discriminating donation passed
Gen. WErxoiE offered resolution inviting DR.. u. u.
Reid, Of london, 80 deliver OF ectures sub
jects connected with the public health 81 cities which
was passed.
Appointments by the sheriff Elect.