New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-07
NEW ORLEANS SUNDAY, DECEMBER j. 1873
Hancock Literary Association.

An interesting reunion of this association
took place at the residence of the president,
DR.. Whitaker. last Friday evening. DR..
Whitaker led off with some remarks on the
progress of civilization, and maintained that
laws, literature and religion exerted re-
ciprocal influence upon each other, which
contributed largely to the progress of the
human mind. He did not hold with Nine
DeStael, that ages were the inheritors Of
ages. All minds passed through successive
stages Of infancy, youth, manhood, and de-
cline, and the progress which was so fat
tering to our vanity and ambition, was
checked by the brevity Of human life. He
dwelt at some length on the great agencies
and evidences of civilization in different
countries and in ancient and modern times,
and maintained that by the nearly uni
versal diffusion of knowledge through the
medium of the press and the school, all en-
lightened modern nations were nearly on
par as to their civilization. The present
age above all ages that preceded it, was
characterized by its inventive spirit, espe-
cially in America.
Professor F0rshey, whose life has thus far
been chiefly devoted to the cause of physical
science, evinced, ON this occasion, great
tact and ability in the handling of liter
ary topics. He quoted aptly from the
poets, Greek, Roman, English and German,
in order to illustrate the com parative capac-
tiles OF those languages for the expression
OF tender sentiments, and the adaptation of
the sound of words to their significance.
He advocated the human origin of the va
rious parts of speech. He drew broad lines
OF demarcation between the spheres of men
of pure science, devoted to the investigation
OF the laws Of the universe, and those who
were engaged in literary pursuits, such as
poets, orators, critics and fine writer's, and
maintained that while the latter might con-
tribute more agreeably to the entertain
ment of social circles, the former contri-
buted their share to civilization by the solid
benefits they conferred on society. Most of
the inventions Of the age, he said, sprang
out Of the laborious and recondite study of
natures laws.
DIR. Walker was of opinion that the world
never came to q stand, but was constantly
making progress, and if developments were
in the form Of cycles the cycles were great
ly increased in number, and that this cir
cumstance might be cited as evincing the
superiority Of modern over ancient civiliza-
ton.
Professor Foley thought that the highest ev-
idence Of civilization in America, or at least
the highest manifestation of thought among
American scholars, was to be found in the
reported judicial decisions of the Supreme
Court Of the United States. We had no
literature. he said, equal to these decisions.
He made reference to the masculine vigor
OF thought and great learning of such
minds as John Marshall, Roger B. Taney,
and their associate justices since the origin
of the government. He would postpone to
the claims of such master minds all the
poets who had ever written verses.
Mrs. Whitaker vindicated poetry from
what she regarded an unauthorized assault
upon it, and recited, with emphasis and
effect, an original poetical tribute to the
genius of Lord Byron, which elected much
applause.
Mrs. Dorsey gave an interesting account
Of an interview which she had enjoyed, on
her recent visit to Europe, with dis
tinguished Hindoo savan, with whose rare
culture and varied lore she was deeply I'M
pressed. He would bear favorable com.
parison, she said, with the most learned
scholars of America or Europe. She read
letter from him, which fully corroborated
'he high judgment she had formed of his
abilities. Mrs. Dorsey.regarded the Hindoo |
civilization as the most ancient in the world,
md probably the most perfect in its type
Original poems, recitations and criticisms |
rom several ladies and gentlemen, closed |
he exercises of. the evening. Of poems,
me selected by Mrs. Dorsey, from an
English bard, we'll known to fame, was lis.
ened to with much admiration. One
7oung lady present proved herself a skill
ul disputant not easily foiled in argument.
Another, who chose 'unfading flowers
or the subject Of her muse, drew instruc-
ions from the regions of Flora that waited
he soul upward to heavenly climes.