Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-03-03
DIR. Trooss,. Cabinet.

We are favored with the proof sheet of the
following article from the pen of DIR. G.. s.
BLACKIE, editor of the Nashville Journal of
Medicine and Surgery" before its publica-
tion in that work for March. If We could
add anything to the force of the appeal there
in made for the purchase of that magnificent
collection of geological and neurological
specimens. We would most cheerfully do so.
Having been a pupil of DR.. TRoosT and being
familiar with the extent and value of this
Cabinet, we have no hesitation 10 urging up
on the Legislature the propriety of its Bur-
chase for the use and benefit of the people of
the State. If it ;s longer delayed it is pos
sible the opportunity will never again be
presented to obtain IL The price is abso-
lutely Insignificant as compared with its
value, not only as an aid 10 science, but as
source of practical advantage to the States
"Our readers are doubtless aware that this
Cabinet. which is the finest collection west
of the Allegheny Mountains, and, we believe,
equal to any collection in this GENTRY, has
bren for long time in cbaDcery, and was
lately offered for sale by the heirs. This
collection was advertised to be sold in let's,
which would have entirely ruined the pro-
duce of the long life of hard labor of one of
our most distinguished men of science. Luck
lily such sale has not yet occurred. But
the fame of the collection brought an agent
from the Academy of Sciences of Philade-
phia to this city, who Intended to purchase
it for the museum of that institution. Such
a disposal of the Cabinet is one which we,
rs TcnnesseaHs and southern neu, would
derpIy regret. 1t would be blow TO our
national honor. That g collection. gathered
together by the labor of a lifetime, at a very
considerable outlay of money, well an
incalculabIe amount of time, labor and ge-
MUS. n collection numbering 10000 speci-
mems of the finest description, carefully Sc
lected and correctly designated, a collection
almost unrivalied in our great country, the
work too of a citizen of our own State. and
an alumnus of our own University, should
leave il for another, is an event which every
TeDaessean should feel it point of honor to
prevent. We confess it was cur desire that
the University should purchase this magnif-
cent cabinet, and thus retain the labor of its
member for its own advantage /; but that in
stitution not having sufficient pecunary aid
derive from any source could not do so. There
is, however, we are glad to see, a bill intro
duced into the Tennessee Legislature, by Mr..
VIM. Ewing OF Williamson county, to obtain
for the State this rare and beautiful collec-
ton, to be by it preserved in the Capitol, and
to be at all times open for public inspection.
The museum is at present deposited in a
brick building, on the lot on which the
Medical College stands, au old house about
90 by 100 feet in size, erected for a chemical
laboratory of tie University. prior to the es-
tablishment of the Medical College. When
DIR Troost was appointed Professor OF Geo
logy in the University, and Geologist of the
State, he removed his collection TO this build
ing, where he arranged it with the most
perfect order and scientific skill. At this
time it was flvorite resort of the public,
aud a source of attention to travellers from
all parts of the country, and from abroad.
When we first Travelled westward, fresh from
the University of Europe, our first desire on
coming TO Nashville was to see this great
collection, and deep was our regret to find it
locked up and slowed away in dark and
ruinOus building, We trust the day is not
far off when this blot will be erased from our
city and Stale. The minerals are arranged
according to Prof. Dana'S system of classitca-
ton, and is thoroughly correct. Ii is now
packed away in boxes ready to leave the
building, and it may be the State, and We
add our voice to many others calling upon
the Legislature TO purchase it, and prevent
its being lost to the State. The geology of
Tennessee is also admirably illustrated, and
il would take many years 10 collect such
another illustrative set of minerals of our
own neighbOrhOod even. Mr.. Ewing's bill
apprOprates the sum OF $4,000 TO be raised
by an annual tax for the next two years OF
one-third of one cent ON every hundred dol
lars of all the taxable property of the State.
appoints Taos. X. Jennings. John b. Linds-
ley, Nathenial Cross, John Frederick May.
and R. j. Meigs, Esq., commissioners on The
part OF the Stale to make the purchase, and
provides that the cabinet be placed in its
original cases in the Federal Court room. in
the order in which il was last arranged by
Prot. Girard Troost himself, We may add
that DIR. Troost was State Geologist from
1881 To bis death in 1850, and that we trust
the Legislature will give the bill careful
consideration.