New-York tribune., 1874-06-03
ADDRESS OF PROF. JOSEPH HENRY.

Mr.. PRESIDENT, LADIES, AND GENTLEMEN
My address will have one element which doubt not
will elicit your appreciation. WAS requested TO limit it
minutes, and therefore 1t will Of necessity have
the merit especially appreciated on warm day. that OF
shortness. Being thus instructed to tme trnst
shall be excused If do fully develope could be
wished the several propositions which intend to pre-
sept in connection with tho interesting occasion
which we are assembled The first OF these propositions
that modern civilization tends to cOngregate the pop
ulation of countries into large cities, that
cities tend TO increase rapidly than
the general population. These effects may
be referred to two causes first the education OF the
working classes and secondly to the Introduction OF
laOr-sayng machines These causes are notably Illus
rated in NV England where the masses are more
highly educated than in any other part OF the world
No sooner does the young New Highlander approach
mon school education than he abandons the pow and
the spade hurres the city the manufacturing
village obtain intellectual and less tOilsome en-
pioyment The vacuum which is thus produced is how
ever, than filled by the Invention, II may be oy
steam or horsepower which will do, In many cases.
an hundred fold more work in given time than the
man himself could accomplish. Another proposition
TO which would call your attention that cities in
proportion their extent and rapidity OF growth en-
gender habits Of thought and action Of character
the reverse Of progress and which, If unrestrained,
would tend TO dsnegrae society and resolve 1t into
It's primitive barbaron eiements that these principles
are eminenty applicable to NewYork, which, Including
the whole population at the mouth OF the Hudson is
without hesitation the largest city In the world. No
other city having large country tributary to 1t in
other cy so favorable situated in regard to geography
and topography to secure these tributaries perpeualy
10 itself There fact but two outlets for water
municaton from the immense region OF the basin OF the
Mississippi namely that along the river itself into the
great lakes and the Hudson, terminating at NewYork
in the Atlantic ocean.
II is therefore Of the first Importance that those who
possess the intelligence. the influence, and the power
from the experience OF the past are impressed with
the tendencies the future, should endeavor to pro-
vide all the means possible to avert evils similar to
those with which this city hast been afflicted and
which tend to aiot 1t In still greater degree In the
Among these means would of course place in the
first rank liberal support OF the Christian minister
and the Christian missionary, but the labors OF these
may be greatly aided by whatever tends to neutraze
the intensified seshness eDgendered by the struggle In
large city for supremacy, and the unfavorabe effect OF
extreme exclusion from intercourse with nature, and
above all the ready indulgence Of degrading passions
This especially the province OF museums OF art and
nature. They not only offer substitute for immoral
qualifications by suppyn intellectual pleasures, but
may also be rendered Of moral and even
religious instruction. The establishment the beginning
OF which are about to inauRurae Is, In accordance
with the views we have presented worthy Of the enter
prise and intelligence Of those who conceived and who
in which the productions Of the inorganic and organic
worS oy9sT Ta M ne ~ bs OF ihs past ages o
properly exhibited It is 10 be rendered an attractive
unobservng OF those who having been confined all their
ives the city have TO consider edces OF brick
and OF stone as the most prominent objects OF the phys
We have learned from the interesting address OF the
President OF the Museum that already large collections
OF specimens IN natural history and ethnolOgy have
secured. and when to these added, what pre-
sume is included In the general plan immense glass
tanks filled with water In whicn thousands Of the
inhabitants Of the deep seen sporting In their native
element and exhibiting the economy OF their lives, the
whole will then become a Joy and pleasure TO
thousands who are debarred by the confines Of
the city from otherwise cOmmuning with nature
But such collection, well arranged and inter
estingy displayed rs sun wanting In an essential ele-
ment usefulness. alude TO the spiritual part
OF its constitution, TO the controlling intellectual and
moral which shall direct Its operations and instruct
the muliitudes may flock 10 the exhibition
for amusement the qualification Of Gu
riosity, In craving for novelties. How iDcOm-
paraby greater would the Importance OF this
museum DO were there connected with II professor,
who at stated periods Of the would dive of
free lectures Cd the opjects which CONTAINS wao would