New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-02-02
NEU-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

The regular monthly meeting of this Society was
he'd last evening at the hall of the Society, Second
avenue. The Hon. LUTHER BRADlsH presided.
Tire Rev. DIR. OsGOOD announced the reception OF
various letters. One from DR.. Rae, the Arctic tx
porer thanking the Society for electing him CORE
spending member; also, one from John Jay, esq,
thanking the Society for the trbn'e OF respect paid ~
the m to the memory of the elder Jay.
Mr. MOORE the Librarian, announced the reception
of the following contributions: The seventh number
Of the fret penny paper started IN H. tsaea
of the same size dated Sept. 9, 1893. These coutrl-
buttons made by William Gowan, esq, the anti
quarian bookseller. A fac simle OF The original plan
of the City Of New-Amstsrdam, made IN 1901, was
also among the contributions.
HoRATIo GATES JONES, esq, Secretary OF the
Philadelphia Historical Society, read the paper of the
evening on Ebenezer Knnesy and his discoveries in
Electricity. TIE paper ALLUDED to the widespread
reputation OF Kinnt rely in bis own day, as being co..
exter sive with Frsnsin. Commencing with his birth
in Gloucesershre Eoglard, in III, the speaker fol-
lowed his history, briefly abiding 10 his emigration,
when still q child, 10 America with his father, his
pursuits IN youth, his marriage ordloaton as
a Baptist minister, and, in 7i6 to his commence
ing the investigation of the phenomena OF electricity
MI Kinnerslys experiments were related. They were
communicated by Franklin in a series Of letters to DIR.
Collanson, sfterward published 10 the GeqtiemaHs
Magd-He The paper discloses the Tact that some oil
the discoveries heretofore attributed to Dr. Franklin,
were now known to have been made by KGpersly.
Extensive extracts from the correspondence between
Kim ersy and Franklin read, in which the equal
merit Of the former as an electrician was recognised
by the latter
A vote OF thanks was rendered to Mr.. Jones for his
able and interesting paper.
TRIBUTE TO THE LATE WIN. III. PRESCOTT.
President King, OF Columbia College, then, in q
voice iremulous with emotion, introduced series Of
resolutions relative to the sudden death, few days
since Of Mr. pIescott and followed them up with q
glowing eulogy on the deceased He spoke OF bis
death as a great national loss, and ssii that all
who were acquainted with him and his writings
would regre. him and lament that the torch of
history was in HIM suddenly extipguished Tie
had passed away, but bis works never should. Mr.
King spoke Of the study of the deceased neces
cary on the loss of sight, but which was fully made
up 10 him by bis excellent memory; Tor he sought
knowledge from the reading CT others even in lam
guages which he Old not understand. Prescott was q
great historian such as we should be proud TO hon'r
and alas, too soon were we called on TO DO hm hooor
Mr.. King concluded by speaking Of Mr.. Prescott as
ubspoi.ed child Of fortune, and sincere ana Sood
friend.
TIE Rev. DR.. DEWITT, in very feeling snd
eloquent speech, seconded the resolutions. lie said
that this blgh, and luminous star ha1 been ecpsed
at esst to u.s. but had gone forth TO shine brighter and
brighter in another world. lie then gave way to one
whom lie said knew Prescott well, OF only a. man
but a. brother historian the Hon. George Bancroft
Mr.. BAscRoF1 delivered the following address:
REMARKS OF Mr.. BANCROFT.
Mr.. PREsiDEsT: With deepest grief We have heard
of the death Of WIliam Kicking Prescott the ilustnous
historian, the cherished and honored member Of this
S ciety. The news has fallen upon US most suddenly
and Unexpectedly; We he'd scarcely risen from tas
perusal Of the volu which be has just Published and
we found there evidence Of everncreasng creative
power richness Of expression, style OF narrative OF
irresistible interest mastery capacity for Analysis
q. H. Of
or people. The world was but just beginning %
bear 10 him the honors which his last and abest pro-
ducton had deserved, when the tdicgs broke upon u
that he had &c ased 10 lie mortal.
He gone and hath lot left bis PEER
been common 30 refer 10 sudden death es teach
Ing what hadows we and what snsooNs We par-
sue" ON this occasion such words are out Of plaee
Prescott pas sed his lie in the pursuit OF uato "hcn
in ts own nature is Interchangeable and so ne connected
binaef With that which u eternal, securing 70 ns
b.rsc,ey and liz career sDd reality and enduring
T;.tsnrs in tbe memory Of biz fellow. men. Neither
o., e regard the moment q bic death however sad
for NJ. as Altogether nopportune for himself He had
lust completed the publication of the volume which
even now enchanting the attention Of the intelligent
wherever the English language is known; 30 that ne
| p.ssed away Ike a great commander who fans IN
tie heur OF victory, when the heat erd coates.
work has not beer carried out 70 the end which NC
contemplated is loss TO the world. We may gr.sse
not 10 have from bis Zen the full history OF 'ne cra
ton Of the republic Of the Netherlands, ahd espe ssNy
that the story Of the Armada with the iss .. Iue'
stupeDcCus enterprise against Prole7talish Aol Eos
land, shouh not have been displayed BY one who's;
rare talent fof the vivid representation Of OUTWARD