The New York herald., 1876-12-20
THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
ADDRESS BY FREDERIC DE PKYsTER ON ''RxP-
REsENTATIvE MEN OF THE ENGLISH Rxvo-

ADDRESS BY FREDERIC DE PKYsTER ON ''RKP-
REsENTATIvE MEN OF THE ENGLISH Rxvo-
LUTON
The lecture room OF the Now York Historical Society
comfortably filed last night with members OF the
society and their friends tho occasion OF the gathering
boing the delivering OF address tho Rcpresenta-
two Men OF the English Revolution" by President
Frederic De Peyster.
The venerable William Cullen Bryant az First Vice
President, presided and seated the platform were
james W. Beekman, Second Vice PRESIDENT George II.
Moore, Corresponding Secretary; Andrew Warner
Recording Secretary John Austin Stevens, Librarian,
and Rev. Dr. Adams
After opening prayer by Dr. Adams, Mr.. Bryant
introduced Mr. De Peystcr as the orator Of tho
evening
The speaker began saying that he should treat Of
the who gave honor and distinction to the reign
of William Ill by excellence In metaphysics, natural
philosophy, literature theology, statesmanship and
arms In John Locke he found tho foremost man OF
the period in intellectual philosophy, tho legitimate
outgrowth OF these tendencies of human thought
which had eliminated in Lord Bacon and developed in
the unitarian ethics OF Pacy the theories OF Jeremy
Bcntham AID James, and John Stuart Mil, and IN
the English and Germrn scientific matcria!sm the
present day. HIS great merits lay IN his restricting
for the time being tho limits oil human inquiry, apc
thus directing ali the energies OF tho mInd TO The In
vcstigation oil those phcLomena which connected
with tho material interests OIL society. His political
course was scarcely less distinguished, his work ON
sroieration' having had great influence N deter
mining Inc tolerant policy OF the government II has
ever sncc stood unrvaed as the authority upon this
subject
As an illustration Of the department Of Nat
Isaac Newton the rank OF leader men OF that
DAY. Reviewing his great discoveries, he remark -
ut would be impossiuio 10 tho extent Of
Ncwtons inhusncc upon scientific progress England
and throughout the world. His discovery OF tho
attraction Vi gravitaon gave accuracy ana precision
In m linn
so largely depends The the discovery
OF the composite character OF light much
OF the facility with which brilliant effects IN
color are produced. In word, tho stupendous
prcssion OF tho mathematical processes which tho
cscucns OF Sir Isaac Newton rendered possible,
swift the speaker held the great representative
| OF the literary power of the uay. As u political
satirist he has been equalcd by any writer in
the English language Mr.. Dcpeyster rccted some Of
| political matters Dresden hc represented 40 tue
poet Of tho period, whose genius was 10 DO traced
| IN Wordsworth and Shelley, and which cvoo
yet inspired his most dlsing iishcd succcssovo
Mrl De Psysor represented as brilliant military
4 genius, to whom England was indebted more Tor hce
gory IN arms than 10 any other except Duke
OF Wellington. Win a bricf resume OF the striking
points IN tho career oil Wliam ILL., the speaker con-
cuded his address, noticing particularly obQa-
sions country 10 the sagsclty, forethoueht
and liberal influence OF that Prince his treat ncni
the American colonies
Al the conclusion the address vote OF shauxs VIVA
| on motion OF Mr.. Beckman, rendered to Mr.. "
| Peysier.
! The large audience thcn dispersed, many availIna
themselves Of tho invitation TO inspect the gallery 81
art and Egyptian museum Of she society, which wss
] thrown open.