The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-23
AN IMPOSING CEREMONY.
President Hayes Opens the American
Museum of Natural History.
SCENES IN CENTRAL PARK.
Addresses by President Eliot, W. R. Martin,
Professor Marsh and Others.

II richness OF attire and elegant equpagcs shall be
accepted indications OF social prominence tho
large audience that gathered TO assist at the opening
OF the New Museum OF Natural History In Manhattan
square by President Hayes yesterday may be con-
sidered to have mostly from the front rank Of
Now Yorks fashionable society. description Of the
building has already appeared In these columns.
Il stands the plot or ground lying west Of Eighth
ivenuc, between Seventy.elghth and Eighty-hrst
streets. At hafpast two O'Clock tho ceremonies at
tending tho dedication OF tho structure were TO
mencc. Prior TO that tImo private view was TO be
afforded "a few distinguished guests" These few
found 10 DO very numerous however, as one
carriage after another rolled up in front OF tho
southern entrance rapidly that before two
o'clock the building, like great human
hive, was fairly swarming with visitors. Alter hur-
Tied inspection Of tho collections that fill numerous
glass cases. ranged transvcrscy at eher side Of wide
passagoways tho different floors, the crowd massed
in the vicinity OF temporary platform erected about
midway OF tho second floor From this the speeches
we're to be made band OF music occupied the
treme southern end Of this passageway. A great
nood OF light poured from either side OF tho build.
Ing, which is admirably lighted, bringing into full
prominence and pleasing contrast the rich plumage
Of the rare birds that I'LL the this floor and
The more sober hucs OF the ladies' garments
THE PRESIDENTS ARRIVAL
For nearly an hour before the appointed time of
opening the proceedings quite number OF ladies' and
gentlemen sat patiently IN their places before the
platform, on q trout bench directly opposite which
was Mrs. President Hayes with lady friend. While
Inc band was discoursing u popular air President
hayes. accompanied by the trustees OF the Museum,
died on the platform Among tho gentlemen assem-
bcd here were the following president Eliot, OF
Harvard College, President Porter. OF Yale; Chance
lor Crosby OF tho New York University; General
Webb, OF the Free College; Professor James Hall, Of
Albany; Professor A. Guyot, Of Princeton; Professor
Siman, Of Yale; Professors Egleston and Newberry,
OF Columbia; Rev. Dr. Bellows, Rev. DR.. Armtage,
Rev. Dr. Adams, Mr.. G. W. Chlds, Of Philadelphia;
John Jay and Judge Van Worst.
The President greeted with little burst OF ap-
pause on entering aud when this had subsidized Prcs.
dent X. L. Stuart, of the Museum, introduced Rev.
DR.. Adams who made the opening prayer.
Mr.. Stuart followed. and alter announcing that the
Mayor and Governor could not attend, briefly outlined
the history OF the Museum He then introduced
President Martin, OF the Department of Parks Mr.
Nartin said:-
ADDRESS or W. r. MARTIN
IR PRESIDENT AND LADIES AND GENrLEMEN-To.day
the promises Of the past iour years performed.
You are in completed building, It's six stories filled
iuure As you approached you saw that the building
Is but q section OF unfinished whole. II Is
bordercd by avenues unreguiaed by excavations Tor
future foundations. by subgradcd park work,
aud yet within II is royal abode Tor
seem, whom you listen to the men who are
making them, are but their begin nings, royal
day supported BY the promise OF that which is to
come All that is not behind Is before US, and tho
feelings Of fail. ali waen say tnss the ssrons
maze here IL that We siapd in tho presence OF
thing which shall endure. Az tho moment The scenes
which We participate becomes sublime II is because
we are In the presence OF science, OF nature. whose
vn m fho hand int had
covered and unveilcd-the breadth OF her dominion
opened TO The lines Of her history written in
these rocks her beauty CLEANS in the plumngc OF the
birds; the whole earth il Tiled with her glory; how
much more this house which We have nader
THE PRIDE OF NEW YORK.
1t is needless Tor 10 say whether the great teacher
makes the great university or whether the greut OPP
iha. they i've together il is the pride OF the great
city OF New York that has created the Central PARK
doing so mas made il, BY tho adornment OF art, as
beautiful az II could DO made. But this Is not all. IL
you IT sraversea The PARK you saw tho beginning
Of meteorological observatory, place for history,
ana on , either hand TWO temples ~ erected
lew months hence another 10 art Beyond this thor
pugn appreciation Tho next step may DO creative.
WITH sucn aids hcre afforded tine hi man mind
will be aroused. Men will gather here TO stndy and TO
leach to explore aud to discover record H. rs tho
supreme satisfaction OF this day. that IL Is TO this pur
pose that all the plans fitted. The idea winch
Taeyrand justified the French Revolution is some
times true OF education-"What principles cannot o
man must" 1t is not for curiosity, not for instruc-
ton alone, but 10 awaken hero the great teacher o
encourage tho great dscoverer-that glorious
sibility which we proudly name man.
On behalf OF the city, Mr.. President, We wccom
you to the museum IN which you and We are hence
forth associated Tor tho advancement OF true science
among tho people.
President Eut, OF Harvard, was the next speaker.
In whose honor, he asked. was the brilliant aud
snce before him assembled? Whose palace had they
Aocked TO in such numbcrs2 What divinity TO honoTP
The power VIC hero OVID, no answered, Is the Deneh-
cont power OF natural science They wcrc assembled
ehuNk ttu rtnC AaAtr 10
this splendid structure. here they would
DO homage to the accumulated intelligence OF
their rnce. WHAT had natural science done,
he asked that IL should DO thus honorcd? II had an
gendcrcd peculiar Kind Of human mnd-the search
ing open, humble mind which knows cannot attain
unto truths and is content TO devote itself TO the
pursuit OF such little truth as comes within it's
grasp This typical mind was most admired by the
educated class and only excepting tho poetic had tho
greatest respect from scholars In every field OF study
= sc'sntidc' sp'rt now prevails Inc substitution OF
noted bcncncent result OF the study OF nature hcnce
tho had much to do with liberty, indvaual.
htical and religious
HEREDITARY TRANSMISSION.
This study also Of vast consequences in consioer
ing Tho stupendous doctrine OF hereditary transmits
Uon, which within the last thirty years science has
enforced The system Of tribes, clans, orders OF no.
bility, werc iamilar illustrations OF the swny OF this
doctrine In the past well the action of society
IN alt ages toward It's criminals. Society has always
guarded Itself against the evils OF hereditary trans
mission Natural history testified the soundness OF
shs position aud would in time greatly Influence penal
legislation and social ORDER and so promote the grad
ua Improvement OF the mass OF mankind
Finally natural science had discovered aud set forth
The magnificent dca OF tho continuity Of creation. 1t
bad laid firm foundation tor mans instructive fanh
IN his future. Perhaps It's greatest service TO
humanity was that u had exalted mans idea OF Goi
since each agc worships lis own thought OF God ard
shal be Judged by that thought Scencc sublime and
majestic, utters 10 tho whole universe anu every atom
the words the Hebrew Seer VI loo liietmes spoke
10 his people :-"rhc eternal God thy refuge and
underneath are the everlasting arms.n
SPEECH or PROFESSOR o. G. MARSH.
Professor o. 4. Marsh, President OF the American
Association for tho Advancement OF Science was the
oext speaker. lie sad -
Tho opening OF this museum to-day Ia an important
event In the annals OF American science ana one