320 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



This will uive a sufficient indication of the somewhat heterojjeneous 

 things which were gathered together from all quarters under the 

 banners of geography, recalling that comprehensive, all-embracing 

 description of Cicero: " Omnes etenim artes qute ad huinanitatem 

 pertinent, habent quoddam commune vinculum, et quasi cognatione 

 qua-dam inter se continentur." 



The archives of all countries, and the museums of all learned 

 societies, had indeed been made tributary, without reserve, to this 

 exposition ; and things old and new had been brought forth from pri- 

 vate cabinets and public collections to enrich and adorn it. 



But I must not leave the impression that Geography proper, so to 

 speak, was without its full representation. Such an array of globes 

 and maps and photographic illustrations of earth and sea and sky 

 could never have been congregated anywhere before. The Russian 

 department was exceedingly rich, and surpassed all others in the 

 number and perfection of the geographical works with which it was 

 crowded. The Prussian or German department was hardly less 

 striking; while the Austrian, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Danish, 

 Norwegian, Dutch, Belgian, and Swiss departments contained many 

 most interesting and valuable contributions. England was hardly 

 there in full force, and the American department was small and poorly 

 supplied. 



When I alluded to this, however, as I did with regret, the Prefet 

 of the Seine, with true French politeness, replied, " Yes, but we know 

 you are titly and fully engrossed with your grand Centennial Exposi- 

 tion at Philadelptiia next year, which is well worthy of all your atten- 

 tion ; and we shall all be interested in its success." 



I lay upon the table a printed Catalogue of this remarkable Exhi- 

 bition, with a few other pamphlets relating to it, which may give the 

 Academy a better idea of its character than I have been able to 

 convey in these cursory remarks. 



Before resuming my seat, however, I may be pardoned for alluding 

 to the monument of Count Rumford, which I visited in company with 

 the American Minister, Mr. Washburne. It received some not very 

 considerable damage from a shell which struck it, or exploded near it, 

 during the siege of Paris. It was understood, before I left Paris, that 

 this Academy had passed a resolution for its repair, and such a meas- 

 ure would be a graceful act to be performed by this or some other 

 American instrumentality. Our Minister was anxious to superintend 

 such a repair, if authority should be given him to do so ; and I prom- 



