The New York herald., 1873-11-04
INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF NATURAL
SCIENCES.

Iue opening exercises OF tnlS society LOOK pace
in the Cooper Union last night. small but ex-
tremely select audience, composed for the most
part Of lovers OF the natural sciences, greeted Dr.
Ebell and his co-laborers in the good work whicA
they have In hand.
Dr. Ebell, in his opening address, ably sketched
the plan, condition and prospects Of the Interna-
ti0nal Academy OF Sciences-tnat Of object teach
ing the only correct way OF intoxicating IN tho
mind Of the pupil thorough knowledge OF natural
science. To bring within the students reach the
objects treated OF in scientific textbooks Euro
pean voyage, in combination with properly ar
ranged courses of lectures on the different
branches Of science taught by this academy, had
been arranged, and geology, mineralogy. history
geography would all be taught by placing the
scholar in actual contact with the things upon
which the lectures to be given Travel viii be-
called in as powerful auxiliary to illustrate and
bring within the students' actual experience
the subjects which they have heretofore been ex-
pected to learn from books alone.
The Rev. Howard Crosby, ID. D., delivered a
forcble address, in the course OF which he brought
into juxtaposition the theories OF the scientists
and the theologans Art he considered, bears
the same relation to science that philosophy does
to poetry. The lecturer then went into the tasK
OF proving the advantages OF studying God through
His written word, and tried to prove that there Is
lures. Societies have foolishy thought they could
prove . negative with regard to the existence Of
Him above; but a knowledge OF divine things must
first be had from the sacred writings and then
from an acquaintance with the beautiful harmony
OF nature To the end OF advancing the objects OF
science, this renewal OF the peripatetic school OF
philosophy, now being inaugurated, would power
iully in.use into the inqulring mind the great
advantages OF object teaching. 1t will increase
scientific study and promote investigation, and
was highly useful In the present condition oi
Mrs. Hawthorne read an erudite letter from Dr.
West Principal OF the Brooklyn Heights Female
Seminary. The subject OF the communication was
the esirableness OF female education, In all th0
recondite theories OF popular science, that her
condition as caie directress OF the rising genera
Professor George N. Biglow. A. NJ, showed the
benefits to be derived TO education from travel
In fact the definition OF the word education means
= drawing out; and what could so well accomplish
rhis as properly chosen course OF travel through
those ola European lands so stored with the spoIls
teaching was the only way to leave an indelible
impression on the lnquiring mind. good example
out aid is afrorded 5y the famous John
Randolph. Knowing that he had to go to England
ne studied the map OF London with such enect tnas
Of its topography thaA thousands who had lived
there ali their lives. sTo what great advantage,
then, might not the scientific student Of our day
visit the wondrous Giants Causeway; the his
toric precincts or Edinborough; the marvellous
the Louvre; the institutions Of learning In Ger
many; the classic plains OF Italy; the famous fields
OF switzerland and the storied countries OF Greece
and Palestine.
The Rev. John T. Biglow, D. D., gave an enter
tanning, instructive and amusing account OF the
different methods OF teaching, from which It ap-
peared that the system now used by this academy
Is the most beneficial and lasting to the pupil
DR.. Robert M. Lamberton delivered learned dis
course on the history nations as q branch OF
science He drew largely for Illustrations from
the philosophy o history, and painted with telling
effect the natural tendencies OF peoples national
mind, as shown in the characteristic manner OF
salutation used by the Inhabitants OF different
countries.
Dr. A. Lane recited good essay on the advan-
tages OF the German school system, extoIlng ie
above all Others
Mr. william Henry Goodyear favored the audi
ence with q judcious and critical analysis OF thG
rules which should govern taste in the arts 01
painting sculpture and architecture, showing the
uselessness OF gathering new works OF art into
museums they being intended to adorn and beau-
tify other places. and the propriety OF collecting
ancient works of art whose time for ornamental
tion had gone BY.